■HM

■ * "

• «V •■■■'-''' ' ;
BbwH

111111$

r. ■ ■;.-.-,' ■ ': " ■ ■.-■■■

'•■•■■'•■■■.■,■::■

!-:•■:.■■::■■ ■''•

||W Ej .', -mm,

MMmmM

uWma

H

1

BK3E3

CONTENTS.

PREFACE, Pages 8-5.

PART r .

The American Crisis from a worldly stand-point. — Scrip-
tural Views of the origin, uses and remedy for Na-
tional trials, 7-105.

PART II.

The doctrines of Part I applied to the present condition

of the people of the Confederate States of America, 107—163.

PART III .

Suggestions in regard to the sins for which the people of

the Confederate States are now suffering, 165-213.

CORRECTIONS.

Page 22, line 13, for "constitutes," read, constitute.

" 27, line 25, for "dark," read, deep.

u 34, line 32, for "but a credit," read, than a credit.

" S7, line 20, for " Author," read, author.
" i 55, line 26, for "lessons taught," read, by the lessons taught.

" 78, line 22, for " themselves," read, them.

" 79, line 22, for " and as is," read, as is.

" 90, line 20, for " lo, he is here," read, /o, he is there.

" 109, line 3, for "'ten," read., two.

" 109, line 31, for " defenders," read, defendants.

" 110, line 9, for " invited," read, inevitable.

" 110, line 29, for "inflictions which were never heeded,"

read, afflictions which were never healed.

" 111, line 5, for "considerations," fead, consolations.

" 112, line 1, for "Sceptre," read, balance.

" 113, line 15, for " muezzins," read, muezzin.

" 117, line 1, for " ungarded," read, unguarded.

" 117, line 4 and 5, for " Dispenser," read, I)ir,j.

" 117, line 27,* for "were," read, are.

" 118, line 10, for " have violations," read, hear violations.

" 119, line 18, for " bread of life," read, bread of eternal lift .

" 152, line 34, for " those," read, that.

" 170, line 33, for " this course," read, their coarse.

" 177, line 20, for " there," read, here.

" 183, line 27, for "casting into," read, fostering in.

" 212, line 8, for " curses," in some copies, read, courses.

" 213, line 2, for "wind," read, win.

W& The intelligent reader will make for himself, corrcctious of
other errors caused by the want of an opportunity carefully to re-
vise proofs as the work passed through the pr<

scriptural: yiews

OF

NATION AI TRIALS:

HIE TRUE ROAD

. I

iHK INDEPENDENCE AND PEACE

OK JHJK

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

I

• r.v

REV. ( . II . WILEY.

CICNDENT OF l'LBLlC SCHOOLS OF NOUTU CAROLINA.

as yet failed for our Tai» bolp : in our watching wo
- WfA ' f(Jt a n.-Jion that could not save vs." — Lam. IV: 17.

'Come, lot u« return unto the Lord : for Ho bath torn, and He will h i
lie hath pimtten, «nd He will bind us ap." — Ho at a. VI: 1.

i'Slthl

GREEN8BORO, \
LLIN0, CAMPBELL ft LLBB

1 8 6 8 .

•

ttPamlico, N. rth I

\ a\ 4 v; v

1

PREFACE

3f

The author of the following work has been prompted to its prep-
aration by a single motive, a stern and increasing sense of duty to
Uod and to his country. '

From the commencement of the American crisis he has looked te
Bee the Church or some of its most distinguished member? lead the
public mind to the consideration and application of those great
Truths by which alone the convulsions and trials of time arc to be
correctly accounted for ; and this expectation was not unreasonable
in a community long enjoying the services of such a ministry as that
found in the Confederate States of America, learned in the Scrip-
tures, godly and sound in the faith.

But while the christian element of society has very generally re-
cognized the doctrines which contnA the revolution through which
the country is passing, it has not embodied them in any permanent,
solemn deliverance, nor given to them that prominence which their
paramount importance deserves ; and this has been owing not to any

at of knowledge or of religious zeal, but to the intense and ab-
sorbing interest which all have felt in the immediate issues and th<
passing phazes of a terrible struggle for national existence and in-
dependence forced upon the country by an ambitious and cruel
power.

Every patriotic member of the community h.. urning de-

sire to contribute something to the safety of tlfe state so unjustly
and fiercely assailed — a desire in which the writer has largely .shared
aud which has induced him to wish that he could, by some invention
«r discovery, arm his suffering and devoted countrymen with such
weapons of war as would render their courage as triumphaut as I
invincible.

But while such thoughts have occupied his mind, Lc bus siiil felt

p h a w a ( i .

tfa his fellow ehristians, did

- • ,uall\

Word fG I, tl

parable re]

1 while bi
b or anj of its groat lights in tl in to

on-
If.
the pablio will dojmBtioe to his motive — hut what

cntcrcil
that over-rifle all -
m.

irith utility, the great principles of revealed Truth which ex-

onal t« ; which famish; nn infallible remedy

—' apply il unstanoes of his b id to

rce them I a and sppeals m th< the

\Ad\i -. ; • i tl

He expressly i i of wishing I

barge which irillmo ; r< I at Ij mortify
him will he that of he: iter forth p and strange doc-

r be the spirit which may prompt thii ; tion.

•
ing in Trnthi which have been made known i .ning,and

which will he responded to l>y the instincts of every christian heart.
I ■ he a means of reminding hi( many bet-
that all kn >W of, hut which in the confu-
from the sudden and ferocious assault oppn the State
was overlooked, i be will be must happy if fit'

batten qualified than himself, shall make more efficient and glorious
ill-conquering
lie has prepared the work he now offer* to the public at odd in-
to the midst of other engagements that have severely tasked
mind and hody ; and he is not ashamed to OOnfesS, with honest sira-
ity, that he believes he could, with more time and Icasure, have

!• i: I v a c i: . \'

presented his subjects more analyticrillj and compactly, aud with
fewer errors of stylo.

It is due, bowever, to add, that in tbe authors opinion, it would
be sinful to aim at too much brevity, or to twoid all repetition ; for
whoever will undertake to instruct a community on moral question ■>
n:ust conquer (bat false pride which aims only to please the critical,
must often indulge in repetitions, and must be ready to present the
vtme important idea iu many different forms.

Much of the redundancy of the following work,was, therefore, de-
signed : the Author's great aim was and is to do good, and all h<>
*flks of the public is to receive his contribution to the deliverance
if bis country in the spirit with which it is offered.

He feels perfectly sure that he points a gallant, devoted and bleed-
ing nation to the only road to independence and peace ; a road not of
'iscovery, but which God himself has east up, broad and obvious,
along which he has every where put way-marks so plain that h<-
may run who reads. He has endeavored to heed this command •
-Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see and ask for
>ld paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ve
shall find rest for your souls." Jer. C. 1G.

lie does indeed, offer his work to the public with emotions of in-
M anxiety which cannot be expressed ; but none of these yearning
thoughts concern his own fate as an author, while all are directed
with trembling interest to the manner in which his dear countrymen
1 receive the counsels of Him who says by His Word and His
Providences, " Give ye car, and heed my voice ; hearken and hear
•r.y speech." Ts. 28. 23.

C. H. W.

SCli [ P T U R A I . V I E W S

OF

NATIONAL TRIM S.

( H A. T* X E 1* I.

./ yieiq of thi imerk '9 from a Worldly stand-point.

The UnH and' the Confederate States of America are

- waging with each other on,e of the most bloody and terr
wars known in the*history of the human race.

The former power \r. the assailing party ; and
is the subjugation or extermination of the latter.

The 'Confederate States are. contending for separate rational ex-
istence and independence ; and this power is carrying on the >
on its part, in a manner consistent with its professed object, i:
stands on the defensive — it seeks onty to protect its own; and if,
left to itself it would desire no advantage of its enemy. Tt bcli-
that the existence of other distinct nations on the continent is nol

nt with its own rights and interest? ; and it is Willing
accord to others what it claims for itself, the privilege of living un-
der a government and laws of their choice.

The United States regards the establishment ot other indepei
powers on the soil of North America, as an infringement oi
rights and disastrous to its interests; and in aiming at the utter
ruction of the Confederate States it professes to bcliev
niggling f«>r its own existence.

Tt would have all its subjects to believ* that whatever men can
value in time is at stake in the issue ; and it would place under
bai of civilization and Christianity the pi whom it is malting

. as a race whoee extermination would be a deliverance to th<
world.

In consistency with these profession- gathered up all it*

v i ,\ i . \ m

I them, with fori I and teal, at tin

I r\. r_\ fil

•ruel and lie * ific human heart

I vil under the mii,

ple 0f (! I and hence what-

| to bring calamity and ties!
• •'
|. i, died for a BWOrd upon the warrior, and upon

nd children— for battle in the open Bold, battle by tin

[■'battle bj the midnight torch, and battle by poison,
famine and B4 -tilcnce.

Baoh is the present position of the contending parties: the pur-
<>n eaoh side is simple, the issue is clearly defined and well un-

•
raged in this strife trace it to political causes ; and like ,
all actors in a drama, their view is limited to the scenes through
which they are passing and their immediate cause? and results.

defendants suppose they saw the beginning of the crisis in
the rapid progress of a fanatical spirit in what IS DO* '-riled the
United States, inimical to their peace and interest?; the SggreSE
charge the convulsion to an institution of society peculiar to one

■n of a country that has been rent in sunder never to be
united.

tn short one' ol tliticians find the solution of this awful

rulsion in African Slavery, and another in opposition to it ; and
here again the issue between the parties is made np, is sharply de-
fined, definite, single and. simple.

T! •■ views of the parties as to the means of <! is tremen-

dous contest are equally" plaid ; and while the purposes of the
itiye belli- aain unchanged there can be no compromise^

the strife until one aide or the other fails in power to
isoute its aims against the resources of tin r against

influence of foreign nat

The view from this worldly stand-point is full of darkness. N-
satisfaotory or sufficient cause for such a gigantic struggle can
levered — for no ono in full possession of his reason, and acquaint-
vith the history of the world, can even imagine the possibility of
any tion to the assailants for the loss of liberty and of hu-

man life, and for the tremendous expenditure of means which their
efforts involve. All sensible persons know that success will place
ressive power ia the same position with the
. iled, for military conquest on such a scale inevitably implies the

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 0

■

conversion of the conquering nation into a colossal and jealous mil-
itary despotism, the great mass of whose people must bclong,in per-
son and property, to the chief of the .State, to enable him to hold
his empire together. But the world knows that the permanent sub-
jugation of a civilized and determined people, covering a territory as
large, diversified and fertile as that of the»Confederate States, is ut-
terly impossible ; and that if the armies of the invaders even had
possession of the entire country there would be continued and for-
midable insurrections in the regions over-run, and probably rebel-
lions on the part of the enslaved and oppressed masses in all parts
of an empire necessarily despotic in the extreme.

The moment the Confederate States ceases to exist in name, the
spirit of hatred and rivalry which induced the people of the aggres-
>ivc power to endure so many privations would be extinguished ;
.;;nl these having then the disposition to consider, rationally, their
situation, would become restless and turbulent, and ready to join
hands with those who promised destruction to the central tyranny
whose existence and integrity would be inconsistent with individual
rights in miy part of the empire.

u . .-jt'rom the politician's point of observation no termination
to the most terrible and exhausting struggle of modern times, can
be discerned : the whole scene, from this position, is a dreary picture
"f cauicless and endless desolation.

2

-' RI1/TIRAL VIEW*

OH \ P i i : R ii.

tCt Of th?

In On commencement of (A* Coi

the history of the Confederate States of
. during I ] evolution, will find

• lint tin- honor of the nation do< quire any ingenious mar-

shalling <>r embellishment "f facts, Viewed without referenci

uis •<[' the people were really illus-
snd tin' records of the past furnish no parallel, in politi
. enthusiasm and endurance which have cl
tied the inhabitants of the country.

■ the population seemed, instinctively and simulta-
mprehend the position nf things — and every rani.
. and all ages bav< performed their part with a de-
ration and beroiam that would dignify purposes even less gem i
tnd rifjble.

.•d chief desire was for the elements of worldly
krengtb, God saeined to sj Drably all the prayers oh thif

-ubject.

.-kcd for a zealous and politically-united people — and He in-
ipired the whole nation with.one heart and one soul in regard to its
-mi, with the public enemy.

prejudices of rank, the antipathies uf old party combinations

. DC instantly obliterated from the public mind : and those

• a. re for the former I nion, and those who were against it were

divided DOW <»nly by an emulous desire to outdo each other in ef-

rifieefl fof the New Confederacy.

fearful of domestic discord, and especially o( servile in-
surrections ; yet the bosom of Society has never been ruffled by any
internal forces, while nut a single effort at armed resistance to law-
ful authority has he< n detected among the slaves, except in those

places occupied by the forces of the enemy.

The widow has cheerfully given her mite to the general cause,
and the very poorest have contributed tbeir earthly all in freely of-
fori: rong arms of the husbands and brothers on which they

leaned ; and never in the history of slavery on the continent did the
ruling race feel so little ag prehensionsfrom the African element of bo-
riety as it has dene since it ha? witnessed tbe result of attempts by

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 11

i

a Ik stile and formidable power, with Immense armies on the soil, to
seduce or force the negroes into rebellion agaifist their masters.

We were not without anxiety tbat the machinery of a complex
political system formed by a confederation of Sovereign States, would
at first be wanting in the energy and unity of purpose and action es-
sential to the 'safety of the country at such a time;, but the General
and State Governments, in their organized capacities, have been in
nearly perfect accord with each other, and the whole machinery of
authority has worked as smoothly as it is possible to operate any or-
ganism dealing with and controlled by creatures with human pas-
sions and infirmities.

We prayed for courage and military ardor among sur troops ; and
we have had an army, gathered without difficulty from every rank
and walk of life, animated with a zeal, heroism and contempt of
danger and suffering, which ranks it with the best the world has ever
seen.

We were afraid that the free citizens of a Democracy would not
readily submit to the discipline necessary to the safety and succes;>
of armies ; but while no mere worldly cause ever attracted to iU
standard hosts of such a character as have been mustered into the Con-
federate service, men of learning, men of wealth, men of ease, men
accustomed to the exercise of every human right, men who left lov-
ing and beloved families in want at home, mechanics, farmers, plan-
ters, merchants, members of the learned professions, teachers and
students, no soldiery have ever exhibited more uncomplaining pa-
tience, more persevering endurance, more intrepid constancy amid
every difficulty, danger and suffering that can b e f a 11 the human body,
and wear out the energy of the human soul. •

In short, the whole community gave itaelf in heart, b<dy and es-
tate to the new order of things ; and in behalf of this Government
of its choice it has met the storm of a fierce and most cruel war with
a unity of purpose, feeling and sympathy, an energy, zeal and devo1
tion, never before known, undsr such trials, in any temporal cause.

Rulers and iubjects, citizens and soldiers, men and women, labor-
ed and sacrificed with one heart and one purpose ; and the loss of
property, the deprivation of former comforts, the separation of fam-
ilies, the exile from home, the exactions and oppressions of pitiless
.tyrants and brutal soldiery in temporary possession of the soil, th>
sundering of the most sacred ties of nature, the wasting scourges of
the camp and the slaughter of numerous arid terrible battles only-
served to draw the people of the Confederate States into a closer
political uuion with each other, U deepen and strengthen their aV>

S< Rll'TT-RA!

hich they lim
■ • I ' ' ■ orldlj views of the

i**uc between them and their

• whole natio- '.ion and |

I od from :: | ■ : i t i v a 1 pou I

Href that
:. [i },.. • ':■ : slj indi-

that tl • pty tl

Tlic ■'■ fboth the contend] -taked on

• war, ofpiiileei of o war to bit waged

rer i* ebl< I the other to defend.

inp then at the state of things in the |jg] ( of carnal philoso-
\ lit «»ne hope of deliveranoe to the Confederate States
thai their power of physical resistance will be ewe-
• d until their ant: is. I, or turned from his pur-

pose by the fear of foreign Intervention.
The ; >f the whole c inntry ii consistent with thi

anient and | bending

all their energies in the direction which, to human sagacity, alone
promises success.

si hasnol tail pi measures to enlighten foreign

rernments as to the trne oharacter of the oontest, and tlieir in-
early termination in favor of the Confederate Si

;latio:i have made tij> their mind 8 to syb-

ohccrfully to whatevei I to be necessarj to strengthen

military defenses of the country.

They can yield nothing to tlieir adversary without Banking otter

ship-wreck of all that is dear to freemen — they arc ready to snrrtn-
• requirements of tlieir own can
in their political .-ent inn-Tit.--, the most united people on
the face of the whole earth—' in principle, the most 4©yal

own entheritu

thoroughly imbued with an uttoonwuerable spirit of re-
, , arc str for the development of war-

like resources, they or 1 to brave and endure every affliction

1 tiny are ready to xicrifiee every
cause whi I and armed tl

Human v ' , and human patriotism arc here

lit with human infirmity ;

1 impression that .something still is

■ting in the acting nf thin grand and solemn drama? Has every

bage I The statesman, the hero,

OF NATIONAL TRIALS 13

the patriot have nobly sustained their parts and will receive their
just meed of praise from a gazing and interested world ; but has not
the greatness of the tragedy been marred in the performance by
Levying out the most important character of all? Has the christian
philosopher taken his right position on this illustrious stage?

Has be been the real hero of the piece, tilling his own proper place
to which every other is. subordinate, thu.> preserving the unity and
.;,pleteness of the drama, developing its just ideas before the au-
dience, and displaying the true relation of every sccrie and by-play
to the one central and controlling plot of which every other is but a
part and incident ?

Has mere political agreement succeeded in uniting society in all
its ramified interests, and made it a perfect, consistent moral machine
living and moving to one end ?

Has loyalty, by itself, here manifested in its most noble world-
ly aspects, been sufficient to draw from the soil of the popular heart
those manly, generous, self-denying and virtuous actions and senti-
nents in all the relations, dealings and responsibilities of the indi-
vidual necessary to give enduring life and stamina to a nation ?

Have wc not all felt a partial eclipse of that sun which alone can
clothe the moral world with beauty and strength ? has not the whole
machinery of state, perfect in its order and arrangements, suffered
for the want of healthful energy and proper direction in those spir-
itual, religious springs which constitute the vital forces of all com-
munities?

There is a universal impression that this terrible tragedy has a
deeper meaning than the mere political issues at stake ; and that
human wisdom and human pow«r can do no msre to bring to an early
close a contest which, to those who look at it in the light of worldly
philosophy alone, is one of the most painful and inexplieable myste-
ries of time.

No one dare to say that the Confederates have not succeeded for
the want of the carnal appliances of State*; people, rulers and sol-
diers have done and endured more than the most sanguine had reas-
on to expect, and yet they seem as far off as ever from an object
which all believed would bp accomplished with much leas sacrifice,
enthusiasm and courage.

Me« of the world have a right to feel that they have done their
part, and performed it well; but the clouds still thicken on the de-
voted laEd,andthe tempest howls in fiercer fury through all its
derB.

u What mi re CM wc d<> "' I ::)aii, the

14 tlPTUlAl I WH -

iten. •• Wl • u I fnl mystery ."* is lift ques«

tion in erery hcai ay, irho will show i^

fur-

nnt :m<l : n a true :ind aatisfactbr y answer

■• [tie drawn from :i souree that •

I it d ■ t lio Buffering and
r to tlie origin an .11 tluir afflictions h U Hi

•juark nostrum of the author's own discovery: it is the rerybalmi
; whom II d and to whoi i Be Himself

• T hdaj if yc n ill hear III-* roies harden nol yonr hesflrti "

OB NATIONAL XKIAI.S. 15

C li APTEK III.

T7ie Jiibh View of Revolutions. — Tht absolute and universal Sover-
eignty *f G<>d, am? it.s results.

We are taught in the Holy Scriptures, the only infallible Stan-
dard of Truth, that there is one God, Almighty, of whom, and
through whom and to whom are all things.

We are taught, also, that He created all things, and for His pleas-
ure they are, and were created : " For by him were all things cre-
ated, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisi-
ble, whether they be thrones or dominions, principalities or powers:
all things were created by Him and for Him "

This God is a God far off and near at hand : and while He fills
.leaven snd earth, creating and holding the worlds in order, there
is not a sparrow that falls to the ground without Hia permission.

Every event that occurs, from the launching of a planot to the
movements of an insect, is under His immediate and special control :
and all things are directed by Him to His own glory.

All things, therefore, material and immaterial, animate and in-
animate, visible aud invisible, must have a moral purpose and signi-
ficance ; and hence nothing was made for itself, and all created
beings, all matter, and all events, powers and dominions arc con-
nected with one universal system of Providence, and are made to
display the Divine perfections.

Among the attributes of the Deity are perfect goodness, aad per-
fect and immutable justice ; and it has pleased Him to make a sub-
lime display of these in the means He has devised to save members
of a rebellious and fallen race from the consequences of their sins.

Our world has been the theatre of those most amazing evfcnts,
the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Ohrist. the
eternal Son of God ; and by this means the honor of Ged's broken
Law n vindicated, and He can be just, and the juetifier

every sinner that believes.

From the time of Adam's transgression and fall this Saviour has
been announced and preached as the Light and Life of the world :
aud a Church has been established of the believers in Him, wl
mission it is to preach the glorious gospel of the blessed God to ev-
ery creature

Different means hare bed) adopted, at different times, to warn

-CRM'II 1AI Mf.

liere, and w<

that the

• - tiom

•i le ■ • God's Holy
. tnd f'<r mjiking it a b 'lie human rutc

•
A'*1 • iral meaning connected with

a tii.--j.liv of the Divine attributes all the events of time on cart!

I ed with refer' !v;;nd onchi l

which wii i ■•■ • rid ite violation, and U

adopted foi the deliverance of those wlm l
incurred its penalth i
The entire history of the world turns on these points — in the-. .
have an explanation of the mystery of time,
to conform to the eendition ol

ttd te the system : and the la-

te procure food and clothing, the hostility of the cle-
f the seasons, disease and bodily infirmities er<
j punishmenti for sin. but disciplinary influei
eeseatial by the depraved nature of man to restrain him,
: that unbridled Licentiousness to irhioh he is prone, and whicl
would hasten the extinction of the race.

In the same lighl we are to construe all national changes; thej
i v.r the immediate result of obedienee to or violation of the
fGod in the institutions and heart of the nation, and they
are, also, intimately connected with the progress of the Church.

sbscure, or weak or remote a people seaj be, their axis*

I histerj are not independent or exceptional events, having

i with the one grand, consistent course of Divine Pro-

: and while the end of every change in the condition of

• thet avage or civilized, christian or psgalr, will be

BUUU to minister to the prtgn M of the mean- ofgTUOe, it will, also,

and .strictly in conformity with the immutnhle prin-

d( Divine Justice.

is the uniform doctrine of Scripture, all of which i* given by
•i ; and this is, also, the tenehiag of the facts re-
'1 in it. All history, as it appears on these inspired pages, is
• I burehj and also, a series of moral and just retri-
butions; and national sins and national afflictions aru well under-
stood to bi always and inseparably connected as cause^and effect.
Whatever the oharaoter ef the inoidents related — whether they
urred in the ordinar of things, or whethtr by miraculou*

Of NAT ION AT, TRIALS. 17

displays of the Pivrhe power, they are so stated under the inspira-
tion of &Ocl, that we never for a moment mistake their meaning.

From the high and unclouded summit of revealed Truth, the
world and all that it contains, its material things, its actions and its
revolutions are heheld as one moral system, under the immediate
control of the Infinite Mind, and directed to His righteous ends-.
nor is there a particle of matter, a living creature, a passion, ide.
entity of any kind that exists for itself or by itself, or that is not in
its origin and results, an integral part of a harmonious and cor
ent plan which will he made to minister to the glory of the Divine
Tower.

God, in the Holy Scriptures, is universally represented as the
Vichitect and Proprietor ; and all the labor and passion of
9. whether thev be moral or natural, animate er inanimate,
are made to minister to His righteous ends. By this 6ame light the
meanest insect that creeps in the dust of the earth, is seen to be His
creation, living and moving and having its being for His moral pur-
poses— Hell and its reprobate hosts can only minister to His glo-"
ry, anV " the clemen+s of society, human and angelic, and the
whole luuving machinery of worlds and systems of worlds are the
Servants of His will and the ministers of His pleasure.

When, therefore, wo read in the Bible of the* rise, progress and
fall of nations, we arc never in danger of misunderstanding causes,
relations or results : the Truth which beams from the infallible
Word, makes all these so clear that he may run who reads.
• We do not often see, nor do we care to know, the» intricate ma-
chinery of state, the intrigues of individuals, of party strifes and
the clash of rival and sectional interests of the various countries,
whose history stalks before us on the page of inspiration ; and so
npied are our minds with the true solution of events, and of their
grand moral lesson, that, we forget those mediate agencies I
result* which rank highest in profane or uninspired narratives.

^ i ire here introduced behind the scenes, and behold the Author
of the Drama of Life, and the casting of the plot and arrangement
f the i tor* — and we are not deceived or carried away by the per-
inees and exhibitions of the stage.
We do not behold occurrences as the result of the triumph or dc
feat of factions, or of measures of administrative policy; nor wil!
we be Led into the error f basing the power of a nation on its na-
tural resources, or its weakness on the number or strength oi
rif*'

3

fclPTORAI. i.'lfl

ken— we have hem : ngetk

»mto T. )." Ptffa Ixii, H.

Wo i to know what oonstitntes tl - ' lorn.*,

■ v,.nt it i* tin ': .is nations ; arvd we are »1-

k * B • ' ^reaiLess find decay exist "»■

tfce vitalf of a Stat*, and our w!. de attentin is absorbed witk

•■heir normal and inevitable dorelo] ment

As we -nrvrv the progre •; men end eommunitieSj wc under -
x c part which each ; general

rd»H : and a!' dve about one central nnd eo»-

. nd thai is, that tlir whole series is ■ system of retri-
ketionn, a moral lesaon, manifesting the innate -ity of dm,

Ike e\il and malignity of nin , aad the rightoousn'- /din'sa of

• od, who ip st ill sensing the wrath of man to praise Him, and
advancing the general good of the world.

; in the taered t «x t , tho itragglee .1

■etional eapremaOy, belonging wholly to the do-

'maii. • f politioal history, and und<r the exelnnVe OOntrol of tempo-
ral sgei iciee : but 1 - ill the ■: the Divine Hand,
and we know that all are mutually dependent part^ of one harmoni-

oas system of Moral Eoenomj.

In the i n.-pi red narrative, many nation* and tiiilli i.s of peopl*
pass before the reader, in vast processions, briefly and impressively
displaying their virtue* aud rices, their varied fortunes and theii'
final end ; but all this grand and solemn panoram:., with i t.-J thou-
sand* of shifting scenes, and ita myriads of actors, i* clearly under-
stood to be "ue 1 mneoted drama, ever directed \>y the and
eke all-controlling, the never-suspended, end tha special Providence
•f God to His own glory, and ta the extetttioQ of Hie kingdom of
right , onaneeefaad peaee on earth.

In short, the noted volume diaoloiea by its /bet*, u well aa by ita
Jo- fi ■'. that tiod is a Meral Being, that His whole creation ha* h
moral purpose, and ihat all the events of time are mado subacrvient
fte t L i « end — that every revolution and all the progress and history
tf kingd' ins ar«- special providences, to be 11:. • • ' only by their

ralationf. to an immutable moral Law, displaying the righteousness
•f the Supreme Ruler, and working together for the advancement of

His ever livii g Oharoh.

any ene abk for the proof of these positions'? Let him

aearch the Scriptures — they are all oited an a t*xt in point.

Nor is there any want of orthodox itaebinga on these subjects ra
the religious Literatwre of the Confederate ?t.-»t<s ; and the author'*

O* HATIOtfAL TRIALS 19

ebject in stating these fundamental truths of Scripture* here — truth
lAUght in a thousand familiar formulas, and known to the whole*
wind of the Chureh — is to bring the reader to this as the proper
starting point for a just examination of the circumstances of the
times #

There is no difficulty in gaining the assent of any on© versed is
tho Scriptures of eternal Truth to these poeitionsjis oorrect state-
ments of elementary principles of the Divine Ecoaomy — but while
we are all ready to receive and acknowledge certain great propoei
ttons <»f the Divine Government as abstract truth*, it is hard for vx
to give them a practical and living application to those events in
which wo are personally interested, and which take stronghold '*4
the sympathies and feelings of our carnal nature.

The teachings of the historical part of the revealed Word must
n« studied in the Scriptures themselves; nor is it at all necessary
to quote here the numerous Texts which declare the being, attribute.'*
and prerogatives of the Supreme Ruler. But fer the purpose before
the author, it may be well to cite certain Texts which are specially
tad peculiarly applicable* to the circumstances of the times; and he
makes these quotations, not to add to the stock of religious knowl-
edge, common to all the Church, but to bring before the mind of th e
christian public, in their true relations anil connections, the fact*
ef. the times and those eternal Truths by which they are to be stl-
red^

PR0GY8 AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF FOREGOING DOCTRINES.

The first chapter of the Prophecy of Eeekiel illustrates the abow
dootrines by visions more expressive than human language — and
raos) \ ivid representations are not uncommon in the Holy Scripture*.
When the inspiration of the prophet began he was a captive in ChaJ-
dea ; and the universal Providence and sovereignty of God were act
before him in the grand and imposing manner related below :

'• Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourtlf month
in the fifth </ay of the month, as I was among tho captives by the
■river of Chebar, that tho heavens were opened, and 1 saw visions o
<*od.

In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of kiog
Jeheiachin's captivity,

The word of the L <rd caaae expressly unto Esekiel the priest, the
I im of Buii, in the land of tho Chaldeans by the river Chebar; aad
the hand of the Lord was there upon him.

\nd I leokf.il, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a
' cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness 'teat abeat

KtPXI HAL VIEWS

be fire.

. • the liken « I >ur living

And tlits v><i* their appearance ; they had tlie likenc
..
And e> \\ fonr face.", and every one had four wi; [

An 1 their fee- l tight ' ' ; :mu th tlieir fee'

like the cole of a : and thej sparkled like the colour

[shed 1 n
And tiny had <he hands of a man under their wings on the!
«y four had their faces Mid their wings.
e to another ; they tui
went ; they wont every one straight forward

r the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man,
the Caee of a lion, on the right aide : and they four had the face
• if an OX OB the left Side ; they four also had the face of au 8

Thus were their laces • and their wings were stretched upward;
two lomrt of every one were joined one to another, and twooovered
their bodies.

Aud they went every one Straight forward : whither the

. they went ; cm/ they turned nut when they went.
\ - f . . r the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance KHH
burning coals of fire, tmd like the appearance of lam; - it rent
up and $um\ among the Living creatures; and the fire WS
uud out of the fire weut forth lightning.

the living creatures run and returned sa the i OO of S

:' lightning.
••• I beheld tin* liring oreatnres, heboid one wheel upon the
earth ! • the living creatures, with bis lour fa

the wheels and their work wcu like anto the cal-
our of a beryl : and they four had one Likeness: and their appear-
i, work »cai a* il wereawheel in the middle of a wheel.

When they went they went upon their four sides ; <tnd they turn-
ed OO! win-:, tl ej Wi

As for their rings, they were SO high that they were dreadful ; and
their rings were full of tnd about them four.

a the li\ing creatin l wenl the wheels went by them :
e living ercati I up freni the earth, the

wheels were lifted u;

\Yhithersoc\er the spirit was to go, they weut, thither was fchsi>
spirit tu go ; n heels were lifted up.OTer against them ; for

ibe spirit of the living creature teas iu the wheels.

OF NATIONAL TaiALS. Li

When those went, these went ; and when those stood, these stood ;
and when those wsra lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted
up over against them : for the spirit of the Irving ercalrurc was in
the wheels.

d the likeness of the firmament upon the kead* of the living
creature was as the colour ef the terrible crystal, stretched forth
. er their heads above.

And under the firmament icrre their wings straight, the me toward
the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every
one had two, which covered on that aide, their bodies.

And when they went, T heard the noise of their wings, like the
noise of great waters, hb the voice of the Almighty, the voice of
speech, as the noise of a host : when they stood,' they let down their
wings.

And there was a V"ice from the firmament that Mrs 'over their
heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings-.

And above the firmament that "was over their heads WHS the like-
ness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: aid upon the
likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man
■ore upon it.

H T saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round
about within it : from the appearance of his loins even upward, and
from the appearance of his loins eVen downward, T saw as it were the
appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.

As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of
rain, so teas the appearance of the . brightness roundabout. This
was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And
when I saw it. I fell upon my face, and I heard a roice of one
spake." — Ezch'rl, Chapter let

The prophet first saw a whirlwind — an ap't illustration of t
cnt revolutions and convulsions in the moral and physical forces of
nature. There was a great cloud with the whirlwind, and clouds and
darkness, to mortal vision, accompany the :uid commotions of

the world ; but there was also a fire infolding itself, and :> great
brightness, indicating the wise and holy purposes of every dispensa-
tion however violent and terrible it ma]

Out of the i- be brightness came the likeness of four living

creatures; ami in the appearance of thci ire a wonderful de-

scription of the pure and eaalted Intelligences that act as the m<
gerg of Heaven and execute its will.
• In every storm and whirlwind — in eve. -.ion :.; : '

b whether among animate or inanimate things, they eat.

li * HU.L VllWf

lij t!>«<e creetares, and Spot the **rth, was a wheel, with a wheel
withio ; and their rings were M high tkat they wcro dreadful.

Tlie classical I :J • • im tana bj a

wheel ; .Till it is indeed the meat fit emblem i

• ind testing both p- .-ward and th* continual changes and

BTOrtornieg of things 1 v w!. ffnoted.

.V whwil within a whe> I » t»d<-

i the intri - stems moved bj variooeoBd

Apparently contradicts - i,1 i od orpnrpoM ; ami doubt-

i illustration is derived from tln> rial srieL

The mjSt mbinatioii of wheel' which the prophet caw w/a>

naplei unity ; and all the infinite and apparently contradictory

Yar*i' ... as system in the counsels of

<;0d. 0 bcol wi • nth, and thus oil the roll i roi ♦•'

thinga here ia port of the boob tea of C vilcnoe;

nnd the immenae and dreadful circumf* .Tract, of the r'.ne shows the

all-embracing extent of this ouc, uniform and pervading

The the wheels wore full of eyes: and thus we arc aiOBt

taught that the perpetual whirl and i hioh tie-

sate* one to-day and depresses him to-morrow, i-> nut a blind fatali-
ty, bat :. uniform and intelligent moth <i, guided by infinite and STti-
g wisdom.
In this obm plicated bet perfect, plan there id iw BOOldent, noeaanei
i o'ta, i .'..Me of foroOy aio reel ooafliot of machinery; but tlu
Is, the rotations of time, evei i snJ the li\: toroA

ire ever found to be the result ut the < ne living power, the one ever-
present intelligence bojOIld viho.se immediate guidance nothing ear

■
ifl o! these wheels S7M always straight forward : towhat-
of the O0mp*00f they went, it, was never a boekword mt>-
boa, bowOTOr tortuouw, oOnfiotiog and retrograde n.rvy aael*

. ;! eddying oorrenta of time's eventualities, they me bat

the oomplicatiooj of tb mod and counintcnt tone me of Provi-

dei.ee, thni gOOl continually forwar-i to tho aceompliwhinent. of Ibe

■ ndi of Lnfinits Wiodom.

I 1 by the wheelH, the rotations of time, were the living

befogs, or creatures, the intelligent and pure messengers who execute
the DivtOf Will : and OV0I - ugloriouflfiriuaiiicnt, the bright

atm f holiness- the* oB^aaatea from the presence of the Su-

preme Maj< sty, and which, always gleaming as a halo o\er the heads
of bi> u. luthentioatea their I'ivine mission, and displaystha

iit rijhteouHiiesa and justioo of God ia all theii mevemetttto.

Of NATIONAL TKUI>. 28

Above this was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of w
sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of thr throne was the like-
ness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 4

" And I saw," says the prophet, '■ as the color of araber, as th*-
uppearance of fire reund about within it, from the appearance of hi<
loins even upwards, and from the appearance of his loins even down-
wards, I *aw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brjghtne??
round about.

As the appearance of tke bow that is in" the cloud in the day of
rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This wo*
the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."

It ia evident that'the Being here referred to U Christ, th« Second,
.Mjual Person of the blessed Trinity, the everlasting and almighty
Son of God; u the likeness, as the appearance of a man," and the
bow, symbolical of a dispensation of grace prov* it, while the^Invisi-
Me Father has never been represented by any similitude or image
to mortal eyes.

Thus God, in the person of Christ, presides immediately over th*
whole course of things ; and wherever the wheel of fortune or tles-
tiny rolls, there is His throne, there His authority, power and pres-
ence, for there is no destiny but the will of Gnu. and through Christ
He works out His bright designs.

By these amazing appearances, this combination of imagas we
have an inspired representation of the causes and workings of all cre-
ated things : there is presented before us a model of the mechanism
at' the whole moving frame of nature, with its complication of ma-
chinery, and simplicity of design, its unity of purpose, certainty of
aotion and ever forward" movement amid apparent collisions and ac-
cidental explosions, with the single, unerring and almighty power
'hat controls and directs it to its destined work. Nothing happens
utside of this single system : to its regular and normal action are
to be referred all contingencies in the moral and physical universe.
the earth-quake and tornado, storm and pestilence, the rise and fall
e€ empires, the division of States, the phenomena of nature, tfcecrra-
tioa of world* and the feeding of insects.

All existence, material or immaterial, is directly tinder the Throin
ef omnipotence: wherever there is a display of force, animate <r
inanimate, there i« the control of the' omnipresent and almighty
Ood.

And how literally and beautifully doc- the wonderful vision «'f
tfcakiel ipeak to our minds tha descriptions of other inspired writers
ef the wavt of Providence! hew are th< - .

-ll'TlRAI. \ IEWS

ical •■ e tied Ti

e ptrfecl

rd .
I irlwind, . • ml

louds ar<

<» and jud| of Hifl •':■■•• .'■ —

!M.« enemies round

M ad Truth nn- 1

i -. j v. 10. the |
to i fallen world.
Cing upon the Thr bowerer dark

altiei of I r nil the troubled

o i. the how of prom
the benign and merciful i)ispeniati< •
• Kingdom.

tlii.-* authoriU
iratian of the ru!" of the Snproi
. this Jay. and ot naider it in thine heart, that the Lord] H<
I npon (lie earth heneath.''
claimc£o r»l< in spiritual* or what iscomi

-• 'I'airit. 1-ut in thoae whioh |re usually i

I • i .■: ;■ rational and responsible

• . hut' in all the material brnU the univ<

• ' • . ■'• ■ ' iah, (!'.'• i

•• I • b and creal I make peace and or<

do all those things " iilv. 7.

I in 11 nn is no
ill" — and when, tl MS to be the

in Hi* ■

Etn nun all-seeing I '.

• ; om w bich confound

reature— -to thoae Providences which are no1
l "ii principle! i f human philosophy and whioh uneetth
f human sagacity,

nos, " i^ a day of darkness" (v,

I to work out Hifl plans in a way

• tibni, l'V processes that render the

wis and under circumstances that

reil re sight in darkness and doubt.

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. 2b

Yet however dark, and mysterious and unexpected the event —
however it may, in oi*r estimation, bring an eclipse over the whole
world of science, and arrest even all moral progress, the obscuration
is Hod's own special work, and the apparent darkness will minister
to*the glory of Him who dwells in unapproachable light.

in A/nos Chap, iii, t's. 4, 5, 6, we have this language.

" Will a lion rpar in the forest when ho hath no prey? will ..
young lion cry out of his den if he has taken nothing ? Can a biru
fall in a snare upon the earth, when no gin is for him ? shall om
take up B snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shr.1
the trumpet be blown and the people not be afraid? shall there be
ovil in a city and the Lord hath not done it? "

meaning of, these passages is obvious : by such familiar il-
lustrations God would impress on our minds that all judgements are
his, that his Providence is special as well as geueral, that He dors
everything on fixed plans, and is ever suceessful in all His underta-
king:-.

In' the above verses, and in the quotation from Isaiah, He repres-
ents 1 r ! : B.8 the author of evil ; the meaning of which is that ca-
nt by Him, and while sin is the work of the Devil,
even this has its allotted bounds and shall be used to add to the
glory of the Universal Sovereign.

\« liens do riot roar for nothing, so God does not permit rev-
olutions to happen without a moral purpose : and storms, convul-
sions ant1 earth-quakes, like the roaring of the lion for his prey, arc
tlie voice of the Almighty, pursuing His certain plans.

It is >:;id in dob, (v, 6,) " affliction cometh not forth of the dust.
neither doth trouble spring out of the ground :" whatever the cir-
m instances of the times, whatever the ageneios by which communi-
ties or nations are scourged, the special Providences of Ood are there .
and the malice of fiends, the inventions and actions of men
and the fcrro? of brute matter will be made to work His will.

In the following passages we have a similar statement of the spe-
ial dealings of God for moral ends, in all the phenomena of natur

" And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclain
<i7i</publiah the free offerings : for this likcth you, 0 ye children < '
1, saith'the Lord God.

And l also hare given you tleaoness of teeth in all your cities,
and want of bread in all your place- : yet ye have not returned unt
nic, saith the Lord.

And also I have withholdcn-the r.iin from you, when then
yet thro to the harvest j and 1 caused it to rain up#li on<

4

►MMTRA1

wa-
0 in rained not wil
I

but t] itli

vith > > 1 .1 - . • when

t rineyar : > • •

'he palmerw< I red them . ,np
-aitli the Lord.

T hf • • r flio ninnner

•i with thi hive tat ■

1 ' Up

■ lith the

.
1 ef thrown tonal • I i an 1 < I ■ •-

I u a firebrand plunked on! of the yet

: • : • • i f. ir. 5-1 1.

mo, are the result
and
the y employed er ence of

more or U rait ef DiVine intervention,

i vil may be eonfin<

and tin' world — it may I I or terrible,

tip of fire, water, pestilenoe

or tornado, by creeping insi . or

ial dealing of God for Bin, it
ice, utter* ' ' r i pur] • nd whirl ; as

will the linn's roar.

dootrinea of this chapter
1 ' I Jehovah elaimi the crawling things of the dt
if Hil will — and in thi
' hapter ii) the M ! and earth Calls an aru:

-* //' •• ;' them invincibl irmal

the wisdom of men, except by
the wrath of their Creator.

or farts can SO forcibly

following text froi i the Ora-
1 • •• B ■• <i id i repared d worm when the morning rose

• lay. and : that it withered .'' — lunnh.'w,!.

\ » ber of the vilest and weakest family of living things,

who bllt an hour, and whose world a few inches of spar

the direct creation of Almighty Power — and the instinct that guides

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 27

it to the prolongation of its brief existence by preying on the nearest
vegetable production, is an important link in the chain of special
Providences by which- the world is taught, chastened, afflicted and
blessed.

Of a similar import are the words of our Saviour, in 3Iathew, x,
29 — "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and one of them
shall not fell to the ground without your father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Can human language be more explicit ?

But let us for a moment turn to a few passages of more geacrai
import — and here we will first quote a verse found in the beginning
of this chapter, begging the reader to mark how all-couaprehensm
in statement and how full and perfect in detail is the language
used :

" For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven.,and thai
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or do-
minions, or principalities or powers : all things were created by him
and for Him »— Col i, 16.

" The Lord hath made all things for Himself: yea even the wick-
ed for the day of evil," Proverbs, xvi, 4— and to this agrees tho lan-
guage of Revelation {Chap, iv, 11,) " Thou art worthy 0 Lord,
t» receive glory, and honor and power, for Thou hast created all
things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.''

" Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in
earth, in the seas and all dark places," (Ps. exxxv, 6) ; and to every
work of His hands He says, as He declared to* Pharaoh, "and in
very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee
my power." Ex. ix, 16.

He is a God at hand, and a God afar off; He fills heaven and
earth, und there, is no secret place where any can hide from II is do-
J'mniah, xxiii, 23, 24.

' the Most High that liveth forever, whose dominion is

an verlaating dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to
generation. And all the inhabitants of tlie earth are reputed as
nothing: and he doeth according to His will in the army of heavcB
and among the inhabitants of the earth ; ami none can stay His
hand, or say unto Him, what doest thou?" — Daniel, Iv, 34, 35.

itipn, iii, 14, Christ declares Himself to he "the begin-
ning of the creation of God'^that is, He is the cause, origin and
author of all ; ami thus He is declared to be not only the son of
Gobi, fad God, but the ultimate Bolutiongor reason for all tl
f creation.

SCRIPTURAL VI1WI

In the same beok of Revolution. Ckaplt , v. 18, the insj«i red wri-

-aya, " And every creature which i« in Heaven, and on the earth,

Ynd under the earth, and such as arc in tic sea, and all that :vrc in

hem heard I, aaying, Blesrieg nnd h<>m.r, and glory, and power, he

Him that aitteth upon the Mir r>r. ami unto the I.:.mb forever

ind ever."

Thus all thing;* that are made, testify, in Kome form, to the glorv
llim who riiptis »>vcr all : ami the veirc <if their praise directed
the Lamb, connects the wht-le creation with a moral system, and
•xalts the Saviour as the Maker, Proprietor and end of all.

He has the keys of hell and of death. Re* i, 18,) : :ill the work*

rcation and l'rovidencc, all the events of time and eternity here

•n inseparahle connection with I!in moral Hcvarnment, '-for of Him,

throvgh Him and to Him are all thtngs : to whom be glory for

•rar and ever. Amen." — Horn, si, 36.

Of NATION A J, TRIALS. 2t>

CHAPTER IV.

Bible Cute* of Aro)ional B evolutions, continued. — God's koto (it-
tributes, and man's depravity, and the conseqvencrs.

It is a fundamental principle of the Christian system that God ia
perfectly holy, just and wise ; and that a? His power is absolute,
without limit, or impediment from any .*ouree or cause ; so its exer-
cise is always righteous, without error, accident, eonfusion or injury.

But in one of the worlds created by the Supreme Architect, and
under His immediate, absolute and perpetual control, there are vio-
lence, trouble and suffering — why is this ?

If nothing had been revealed to the rational inhabitants of thi.«
world but the attributes of its Sovereign, a proper belief in the*f
womld require a solution of their troubles on the part of those con-
cerned, in their own dispositions and actions.

But thk Divine Disposer has not left any room for doubt ; and
He has given to man a full account of the origin and cause of death
and of every human wo.

The first man, created in a state of holiness and happiness, re-
belled against his Maker, fell from his sinless condition, and in-
volved himself and his posterity in a state of impurity amd wretched-
ness ; and all the confusion and afBictions#of time arc the lesult of
ain, aid of consequent disobedience to the Divine commands.

Death was denounced to the federal head of the human 5 ace as
the consequence of disobedience ; but it has pleased the beneficent
siid almighty Ruler of the universe to suspend the full execution of
the judgment pronounced on Adam and his deaoendants, that they
might become the subjects of a system of grace, devised with a wis-
dom, goodness and mercy that will fill all creatures with wuiidcr
for ever

The bodies of men became immediately subject to death ; and all
were to be exposed to labors and trials which were partly punish-
ments, as they were the results of the acts of those oonetrned, but
which were, also, a wholesome discipline, a wise and benevolent
economy, designed to hold in check the passioftl of a del »ce,

to remind it continually of its fallen and dangerous condition, and
to lead it to the glorious and infallible remedy for every di temper
• f time.

.-< RII i : RA1, V1E\V>

A perfect Saviour was provid the inhal t a world

rui . 'jJ it w;. I ;u.

..fiV entanoe and remi -ins through the

nto:. • I ' ■ ine Hedei .til men,

j thousands of years.

nby Hin
wh ui deeply revolto a account of the intci

' hrist, thi - thai all who will, may through

Kin Jtyoftfo L be prepared to enjoy a

aal holiness and felicity in j and henes while the earth re*

mains it will be character] different from thoae which

the"univ<

it the i and evil anuc in i sin against

. Immutable and ebaoluf ;i it, mingling in all its af-

fair.-, and whUe it fall development pf its ten-

dene to utter ruin, it is not punished with that strict justice which
.rd and which i.- .: UC it.

rfeot plans of <Iod it will meet with adequate tvtribu-

tion« : hat where it i- 1 1 ntcd of it ha.- been atoned for

in the infinite sufferings oi . md where it ii not, it.- adequate'

and eternal reward La oulj lospended for d season that ita subject

pportunitj pting the salvation provided, and of

.in wrath to Oome. •

nil jrlain and divinely revealed theory of the mystery of time,
all it- painful phenomena axe t mtcd for.

ielj onlt it to yield it.- fruits

for the subsi- human Life : the elements of Nat •

B of man, and his brie' I A by

aiual toi ;

into the the world v.'. id in ever) condi-

tion, be !■ mbjeof and sorrow; and very

r from thi- Btage oi j a prooesi from

latural life .-brink in ghastly terror.
Life of burden and travail Lfl more than deserved by man for
if his nature, and by his sinful and

it . discipline) dutely necessary I

. /in ripening, like
int ■ ; kble rottenness, while it is a merciful and pi ' ad-

monition of the ■ "g, praoti< i mn

* remembrancer of, the pains and penalties of that • th whieh

i.-> | :' all the I kg sons of Adam.

.1 ju -t plan 6f (lod's dealings with man, in this

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 3 l

world, as an individual and an immortal being ; and the' same sys-
tem is applied to him in his national capacity, with such modifica-
tions as the circumstances of his position plainly require.

Nations, as Such, are purely temporal beings, and must, there
fore, receive, in time, the full reward of their deeds : and though as
public or political organisms they have no souls, they are composed
of moral or responsible beings, and must be judged and dealt with
according to the dispositions and actions of the persons who com-
pose them.

They are composed of men, and man is a rational and accountable
agent, everywhere, and always under the immediate Government- of
God; and hence they will all be judged by the Divine Law, their
sins being measured by the extent of their opportunities, and the
wilfulness and stubbornness of their offences.

But while the Divine economy proceeds on this fixed and univer-
sal rule towards men in their social and political capacities, it has,
also, been so adjusted, by infinite wisdom, as to make it perpetually
subservient to the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom ; and though
every national change or affliction will be caused by the disposition
and conduct of the nations concerned, it will, likewise, be made to
promote the cause of the Church on earth.

Convulsions are decreed as an element in the advancement of the
Kingdom of Christ, because the character of nations and not the
plans of God, render them inevitable ; and while they are thus the
agents of the Divine Will in promoting the progress of the sjetem
of grace, they are, also, the awards of tke righteous Judge for the
sins of those concerned.

Here, then, is the certain solution of all the toils, mutations and
sorrows of time : here is the divinely-given account of the origin
and uses of every evil which befalls a people.

All national as well as all individual suffering, is the certain re-
sult of .". violation of the Law of Cod — and the offence of the afflict-
ed parties may be in his and their dispositions, or in both actions
and disposittf

Tin affliction in a penalty, incurred by thr sufterc- ; but as tip
nations exist and suffer in a world governed by :•. system of grace,
and as they are made instruments in this system, the chastisements
which their own conduct his merited, may be, also, a means of re-
forming thesi, and of leading them to greatness and happiness by
making them efficient promoters of righteoutneM and truth on earth
is the whole and satisfactory history of the origin and usee
of every national trial OJ" revolution thai ever has happened, or that

.r, in any part »f the world ; bm1 with these pro)
-1 a number of
munities, Eh >a« eitoftted like tha people of the

• *• ■ rate chapters.

In the mean ti ire ai;»l apply, n

their leng leptb, the { riptuml teachings ai-

tal I ii Maker and Guide of the unrrem

. d infinitely holy. ;,ad thr.t, therefore. Buffering

.ire everjwti re ind always regular and rpevirahle cause and efts

It would he :i moat deplorable and awful state of things if it were

lible fot an;, creature to Buffer without an adequate cauee in him-

: and if such :ni a< >uld occur, no rational being could

♦ ver again feel

[f such tl i happen, God would either be unjust, or less

tent; an<I either supposition it contrary to the whole
S riptunt, and revolting t.. the rnttincta -if tli- Christ

• 'the Divine Nature ii interested in preserving every
ire front undeserved injur y ; andifonemementarj ;

lis inflictcd„it would till the universe with sn<
tain' and horror. Every being with moral sentiment would at the
itais f> -l.M-k : for no one obuld feci secure, and no one
illustration of the imperfeetion or injusl
Dn ise Economy.

Tl:s case of the Christian, Called OB to -utter per.-i oiuiyiiH on ;u-

. Lodlj lif« in Hirist Jesus, i- no exception : the Chris*
ich, i- i spiritual being, and in his heaven-horn nature eta

UOt he injured hv iihii or devil-.

M light afflictions, wbieh are hut for I moment, work ut for

him ■ far moi ling and eternal weight of glory ; and all that

world and of hell pan effect, will only enable bio
mspiouously the divine origin of his faith, will
hope ■ '■ I Ions that were doing him an in-*

and will -treBgthen the cause which he has espoui

required to Ml op the measure of Christ's afflic-
tion- : 1 ut wheu lis sufferings are not mereiful ehastenings to -.\ori
out ii. him th< ; iscssble fruits sf righteousness, they will glorify
! by furnishing an illustration of the hstefulaesf of sin. of the
mere und forbearance of the Supreme Hulcr, of the superior and
"A\ I the new life of the Christian, and he tha.s aji

effectual warning jn<1 ■ powerful :• j> j.« n 1 to a world lying in wicked-

OF NATIONAL TBI ALB. 33

Tims the- steadfast sufferings of the Christian, for liis Divine Mat -
lor, are his most precious works: he is, by such means, made ai
lufltrkttxs co-worker with God, ami enabled to add to his crown, i
life many stars of rejoicing..

The Chureh also is a spiritual body ; and though it is establish*: id
'for a work of time, it is sdh o a discipline, whose origin a:. 1

< mis take hold of eternity.

Its outward organization and its elements of worldly power m.-y

':npa"r*d': but.it will not he in the power of cr6ated things
touch the purity or energy of its divine life. This is God's hus-
bandry : and the machinations of His enemies will only serve in
end to distinguish its excellency over all the inventions of creature,
to bum from it the tin.-ol -fbaser metals, to manifest before
universe the righteous - and justice of its Head,

the malice, baseness and cruelty ef His opponents, and to enh;:
the glories of those triumphs which await it in time and in eternity,
and in which will participate, rn heaven, all who have served it by
doing or suffering on earth.

ns, as such, can hate no remuneration in time or eter-
nity for afflictions they have not deserved; and though a future
generation might profit by the sufferings of the present, how will
this compensate those who have died in darkness and sorrow \

Let no one deceive himself; any other theory for individual or
national trial is dishonoring to God, and full of difficulty and hope-
less gloom.

The extent, nature or instrumentality of the affliction does
affect the truth of the propositions above enunciated ; and though
.the party suffering may incur his trials and disasters in the prosecu-
tion of an enterprise just in itself, they arc not the less the reward
of his own conduct, and in such cases are sent on account of exist-
ing dispositions or of past offences or both.

And as^already intimated, it is not because the Kingdom of < Ihrisl ,
fro« the phi1. . no- -ib revolutions and violent mutations

among the powers of the world, that they occur; and it is both
surd and impious to claim that if our nation is not suffering as the
Church, it is al leasl -undergoing trials as a high, privilege to aid in
the progress of the Redeemer's <

God will certainly •' overturn, overturn, overturn until 1!

whose right it is," </.' .'7 ) ; but while the gr.

result of"//.-' i the i arth is thus made known, a suffici

cause fer ths troubles of everv people will alwi ind in th

5

VIBW

D
:.U nations ai <t fall.

This i

BOW-

- In-
tl • W ' blc of proof from the

fact
:\r Word and Spiri

Tii i M of thU ''hapten, teMI

f) 1

• 1 holj men andei
art. j strnctioi in ev«

f Dan i H «

» in tlio nig 1 be m

; ■ .jilo and
. ■ I '

re to identified with tb u;.-

<ry.
»oth'. for public spirit; and no doubt many men have d

eing
biofa the) : n trolled.
Hut thi re cm bt DO in ^Yith regard to the : ■ li 1 1; r •

Mod origin I I '.•• i countrymen.

//• would ha «rcr

U t«> '
• 1 ' ' Kile ;m<l

. ■ to the

: of worl y thing elM

the
b.
Tno. children of Israel, persecuted j and

ifc Danii j ' :id wretched,

.

bighi si I rs and dignities
,4 th t magniflc nl empire'on earth ; and while he

ji^j , ■ from the confidence and favor of this poto

ym »- langeroup fee

and to his life.

0F N ATI OX AT. TRIALS.

His personal merit and the favor of God were securing for lain,
the most illustrious name and position on earth — and his family and
national affinities could win for him nothiug but shame and hatred

On the one side were the highest prizeswhich can tempt worldly
ambition to forget and despise kindred and nation ; on the other
were the most disgraceful and terrible penalties which men can in-
flict offered as the apparently certain reward for adhesion to- th<j
cause of his people.

None of these things could move the steadfast heart of the illus-
trious Hebrew from its attachment to the home and the cause of his
fathers ; and as no man in modern times can expect to be his supe-
rior m piety, faith and godly zeal, so none can hope to become mor-i
distinguished for a display of unselfish -am] exalted attachment ike

intxy and people.

History and Analysis of UanieVs Pray-:.

When the Hebrew prophet uttered the prayer quoted bciow, afte"
bn has been recorded for the instruction of after times, he had
h In memofj hia captivity among a people who hated, oppressed
mid despised his race without a cause.

He knevj by inspiration that ail the blessings in ^ore for the
World were to come through the medium of his own race- and he
was fully aware, from observation, that much as this nation had of-
fended Cod, by their rebellions and idolatries, they were, as a whole
infinitely superior to those by whom they were bated and afflicted
Dg them were to be found theonly worshippers of the true
living God; and if no other examples were to be found the
prophet could see in himself, and in his fellow-captives, Shadrach.
Meshach, and Abcduego, the most illustrious evidences of the sunc
the Jewish faith and polity. The faithful anion*
the descendants of Jacob were the only stars which shone upon the
dark night of paganism and abomination in which the world wa*
immersed; and tho*e who made war on the Jews and sought to de-
.troy heir race and „ re actuated „ ^ fa h

he Religion of the God of Heaven as by dislike to the chiWren ,,
Israel. I . „c instruments oy which the "chosen race were

■>>■ ^entious, cruel and abominable ; and su«k
• - the empire. where Daniel had re-
the general, incurable and indescriba-
ble « o nation that the name of Babylon has been a-

- Himself, to represent all that «
to and detectable in Hi* human enemies

It]

AD these thin, to I) I he wai

1 ' ' i

• ; D tl

Hut it 1 the

rophet's petit ' -■ ' I : istory,

II r nicnti

Be troubl

/Vi i/-r.

pro] ftt* :

!. Ti • of all their afflieti

Wta/Zhad himself. The kings, prinoes

the guilty, and all Israel
I
at G i ii righetoua in a|l ; . .. rhioh is cited

Elact of His Watching upon tl bring it upon Hi*

sple.
• al the j Ian of God's judgments had been revealed — and tbat
mystery in the fact thai the nrg-

l the bar

0 plainly j irred.

/' - •/;/, ft they art bat

> or characterize the motives of the

• : . - their judgment

ly to I I in: to Whoi ' presume

holt appeal i; for mercy t.
r tb« riy1 [uences of then

II.' i d the merit i :

bed, Ii and long suffer-

iffered an insult to the I

hmenti then the Almighty
w»t* to blame : if the mere amount of afflictions had made the chi
orthy of Divine favor, then a change of c
duet end dispttitioD was not important, and punishment or rer

Ok' NATIONAL TRIALS. ' ;', 7

to this end were unnecessary chasteniugs, and therefore,
i'rom the Divine Hand.

Daniel asks for the deliverance of his race '• for the Lord's sake :"
he prays for it in the name of God's mercy, and ft>T the sake of Hia
own glory.

In short, the great points in the inspired prayer of this gi
riot, this illustrious prophet, this holy man to whom the assur-
was given direct from Heaven that he was greatly beloved.
were that sin, wilful sin against God's holy aud reasonable law, and
affliction, were inseparable cause and effect — and that delivci
from merited Calamity was only to be expected when it was consist-
with the covenanted mercy, the righteousness and goodness ( f
God. This road would necessarily lead through the repentance and
reformation of the people concerned ; arid it was only on such con-
ditions that inspired men of old who spake as they were moved by
the 'Holy Ghost, asked for the removal of the afflicting hand
Jehovah.

Let the reador now carefully study the prayer recorded for his
guidance ; and let him as ke reads keep ia mifld the circumstances
and surroundings of its Author. He was one of a race scattered
and peeled ; and had been born in a land which was then desolate
from the successive and awful ravages of the enemies of its nation's
Ood.

It and its people were an astonishment among the nations ; it*
inhabitants, after enduring every calamity, bad been carried away
captive by a " bitter acd hasty people,'* its temple burned with fire,
its palaces despoiled, its women ravished, its children dashed in
pieces in the streets, its kings and nobles degraded and cruelly
maimed, its elders and princes dragged away in chains and reduced
to slavery.

The prophet and his race had been dwelling among ' o had

desolated their land and desecrated their holy things; and for long
years he had seen his people and their faith a taunt and reproach to
the fierce, remorseless and depraved heathen into whose hand God
jold them Yea, he had seen the most s ledicated

to the holy service of Almighty God, profaned by an i<! I and

debauched king and his profligate courth ourtcaans

in their filth; ' ile they blasphemed tl

they had conquered, insulted and op:
'il study of tl
ation for the race whom his he I in all their trials

>rings w l bo dawn ; and ar-

BAL N IKWS

keels

hi.«
people ai.<l h the groanii lit-

hli

I

thus hi»

I receive an in. urn!

*
1 0

tii:

• i i the son of A.haa u rns, of I of

. .1 aim of the Chaldeai

- ti.t-

HUD.i ";- Of flu

I he would accompliih seventy veara in I

le .-.:.

\ml • OBtO the

shes:
a jaioo,

<lr> adfal ' uant

thenl '1 to thei . ciu-

| done

] ItTfJitf

ind frooi tliv j n <j •_ •

. which
our prii < our fathers, and

•i all

gtth unto it unto a

! .. I abitante

. . r ofl',

.

0 1 dr kinks, to <>ui

e have si inst thee.

though W<.

: •! . Lord walk

b 1 . be propl •

1 • ;:.. lat even by departing, that

r< the ehi red upon

OF NATfO.VU. T.UALS. 39

us, and tlie oafh*that is written in the lay ■ f Moft - the servant of
God, because we have sinned against him.

And lie hath confirmed his words, -which, he spake against us, and
against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a groat i
lor under the whole heatfen hath not been floBC as I ath been doi
upon Jerusalem.

Vs it '. written in the law of -Most..-, all this e?il is cine upon u* ;
yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we mi
turn from our iniquities, and 'understand thy truth.

Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and I
upon us.: for the Lord our Grod is righteous in all his works wbioh
he doeth : for we obeyed not his voice.

. O L.ird our God. that hast brought thy people
out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, am
renown, as at this day : we hare sinned, we have done wicl i

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness. I heseerdi the
t.hiue anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city J<
thy holy mountain : because for our sins, and for the, iniquities of
our fathers. Jerusalem and thy people ai to

'hat are about us.

Now therefore. <> hear the prayers of t!>

his E hy face to shiyie upon thy s-netuavy that

is desolate, for tho Lot

0 my <>od, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine cys, an
held our desolations, and the nity which is calleil by thy name : t< r
we do mot present our supplications before thee for our righteous-
nesses, hut for thy great mercies.

0 Lord, hear ; 0 Lord, forgive ; 0 Lord, hearten and do ; d>
not, for thine own sake, i) my God : for thy city and thy people uie
• ailed by thy naafe.

And .while f was speaking, and. praying, and confessing my
ind tha Bin of wy people Israel, and preseatin bo*

!bre the Lord my God for the holy mountain of m- Q

Yea. whil -caking in prayer, even the man Gabrie'1,v

I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being causod l^fl;
touched me about the time of the evenii g i blation'.

\nd he informed iw. and talked with me, and said, 0 Daniel. I
,im now come forth to give thee skill and o

\t the beginning -of thy
forth, and 1 am some to .-hew //« ■• : for thou art _ ed :

.fore understand the matter, ler tl • ion " — Dm

49 UW+L TI1WS

I'RA' v • IA1I.

' I : I

■

■ •

egan it met
iah, full of zo:i 1 for ' -<'J and
his i • band w:

•

rk
lor a numl • oted \>\- tin

ii g with nntlri
r and an : % difficult

this beard of i

before hia ! andT)r**iaely enjoined I

• iven belt

...

Tl: ' ' lhllil

' prayer al tpplicable, in the main, tt> thai ;:iiah

tinii is in\ ited to this emph
•I and inspired man, — "both ! and my father's hi

'in

• I Haenaliah. And it came

■ fch year, bb f was in E
.
ananj, one ■•■ my bret hren, came, ii" and
asked Asm i - ng the Jewi thai

•. ity, and concerning* J< ru lalem.
• . The remnant that arc 1 oft of the captivity
i . affliction and reproach i the \

hereof are bm

IS, thai 1 ^:it dowi I
. , | and prayed before t lie

N ' ,0 Lord God of heaven, the great and ter-

ribli d mercy ft r them that love him

serve bis < Imenta .

♦ OF NATIONAL TRIALS 41

Lot thine car now be attentive, and thine, eyes open, that thoa

mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now,

and '.tight, for the children of Israel, thy servants, and confess

dns »f the children of Israel, which wc hare sinned against thec :

'.tli i and my father's house have sinned.

Wc have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have nit kept the

commandments, nor the statutes, north1 judgements, which thou

-audedst thy serTant Moses.

Remember, 1 beseech thee, the word that thou comnuindedst thy

servant Moses, saving, //*yc transgress, 1 will scatter you among the

nations :

But '/ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments,and dp them ;
thou ' there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the
hea\ ' will I gather them f r<. m thence, and will bring themuut©

the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

thy servant? and thy people, whom thou hast re-
deemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

O Lord, T beseech thee, let now thine car be atteutive to the pray.
" it « r ;iut, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to/
fear'lLj i..#ue ; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and
grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For T was the king's cup-
bearer."— l.v.' Chapter .Xchcmiah.

PRAYER OS l.ZKA. •

Ezra was one of those who labored with hoi}' zeal for the restora-
tion at Jerusalem of the religious polity of the chosen people ; "and
he entered on his task some year.-- in advance of Nehemiah. Ue wan
a returned exile, a leader of his people, full of wisdom and the Holy
Ghost, and gave himself to the cause of his country and of the true
Church with which it was associated with untiring patience and zeal,
and "an unfaltering faith.

He was honored by Co I . ' . in the great work of re-

.rt of the scriptures written before his time. ; nd of
ilishing a correct copy.

While he was laboring for bis nation and his Cod with a piety
and fidelity whieh -. he hears of a trespass of his

people, and then, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, pourg forth
the praver below.

Its recitals and confessions an characterized by the same spirit

'with those already quoted ; and while the immediate occasion of the

prayer was an offence committed about the time it was •ffered, it

narrates Triefly, but distinctly and emphatically, the system of Hod's

people, and the causes <>f all their calami! i

<;

; ■

I

.

I

h

t> to lift up j

|

I . •

us in o»r

boi.

#f Per ' .. . give Ufl a ": '

tt r, - idah ai.d

n .1 , .luni.

An-1 now, <) oaf God, what shall we say aftef thu '. I r w>
foftttk* d thj command] . 4

Which thou 1 .'"t> (■'•'■ pfopeta, sajing,

Tho lnud, unto irl ipsa it, is an unclean land with th •

. ■ ins Ah raiALS. 4*>

. tho people of the laud , ' ■ I q

-
■

■
|

j

'

.

iMlA

1 1 . •
: and David •

mid Bbto ;

(Jil"

i d untu them
; • the el Cara< 1 and

.

in a j blee*
\i, 1-3.
It i^ r t.i tl. iplea that the Jews v.. 1.

altar | ' • - - ' i < 1 » , u 1 1 < 1 , 19 true thai

raham and I o them, o

stitatod the visible Church 0n earth; and t" them were dommj

of B ing in the

: 1 1 «>i j : < S which tj pificd < ;i.'i! i lit.

I Lfl tli:it •

te tl th< i natii - :
ipl til wu

I ■
•
■

doubt, ::
I ia!cd fri

, \ I hold the truib in un-
it manifest i.. them ;
■

i '>

ten
. I

. bej gli i ified Bim not as
imaginat
and t

■ :y beeam
• i u] tible God, into an image

y did not like to retain 1 1
Ige, < I 'in over to a reprobate mind, to ci^

things v

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. ' 4 i

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
coVetousneas, maliciousness ; full of envy, murder, debate, d
malignity ; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud,
toasters, inventors of evil tilings, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, oo\ takers, without natural affec-

tion, implacable, unmerciful :
Who, knowing the juc'gmc:

• rtliy of death, not only do the same, buthav<
in them that do them." Romans i. 23 and 28

Hore is the inspired statement of the opportunities which ;ill tave

. to know God, and of the manner in which the idflla I ions

have used them; and in the next chapter oft) i book we are

rly informed of the method in which the Righteous Ruler will

■ eed in His judgments, to render to every pan acci hia

deeds.

•• For there is no respect of poisons with I

For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perUh
•jti. aw 5 and as many as have sinned ■,■

:idge-i by the law.
!■'' ; b( the (Jennies, which i.

in the law, these having ' mtr

■
Which shew the work •of the lav \,';>i'

;lsOj hearing v. , i.;]e

sing, or else excusing one another.' 1 1-1

The law here referred to is the DecalogiK \t- i;

in writing, manifest a sense of its comma!
the hearts of men, Jirst, by those moral aoi
uifyf by the op<
•■ of. all moral acts in the W
law, .or •

Si 1 nuiy ii<. '
a i ,ii law "

le to the
the Jews, si - their

i eli they shall be
lied." " WLeu th

i
• have :> I

• h

.. i '■■■■.

>F NAXroXAi.

:'rorn all your ti

*

«
I

;
" Bi

• ■
' l.,17. Act* 10. U.

unaudments are n 110. 151-

comtnandmen _ hieous." JDo 172. /'. 1.11. 2~'.\. /idm.

f all the earth d \ I • '
Job

7,8,6, 10 Prov.Q. 21,22. 2 >Oh

/v ■- "

. 0. 10. Hab. .1

i

.17.

afflict wi . .i'lnei;

11 and ff<

Ho Hii

•
retun .-.-I live ?"

1 ,*' wliorffnrr doth a living man L'oruplftin, a ma;i for tbt-
pmaichment ofhia siniP' Lttm. 3. 30, f r "God is King
tho c.-.rt '7 7, and M the works df Hi -c verity

ft. 111. 7 Hosea 14. 9.

r ! *y% s

< . I V fc V .

Bill

• r*< . unit
h ''• i< ajjt
Utncd for

' I

» BJiti 10 11 . :i N

•iii' bow< be tl

' ■ . bit

r.- the jtidgm

ir. - in illustration of this p
it <• ivera all the groan !
iM hardlv -'■(•in necessary to

•
( ';u aan • land tot!

1 tlii- d
I ' • tl ' : the pow< r to | rforoi It.

'. fter •' od inspired nun, entered

, lition \vl, g :inT the town of \ >

-ami what »■ id

' ■ Did he c >naider ■ "• lasiooa

'■. work in which tin' Almighty

•!■• repulses . f I is arras from the people, :•••
rward wit' as G

• ; promise 1 '

acers and with w

ad that tht> \ll-v,
■ rou^h suoh disasters for their final trius
!! instruct! >1 :' the wa;
Divine Mas! anything

: Heaven and
■ !-. ■

.I ich sould

• .«

sized' d«fi

\h'o disaster I .*•

H vcii.

OY NATIONAL TRIALS. 40

With such confessions in bis heart and on his lips, and while ho

I his elders arc solemnly honoring Ged by publicly confessing
that their defeat was Ilia work, he is informed of the cause of
difficulty, and directed what to do to prevent future and worse ca-
lamities.

The time of the inhabitants of Canaan had come — the measure of
their iniquities was full, and^God had chosen the Jews as the in-
struments of His vengeance Upon a people, whose pollutions eou] |
n longer be borne. But in the defeat at Ai, the Divine Arbiter
was against the arms of His people, though lie was with their cause ;
tor they had tinned against them, and He designed to chasten them
that their trespass might be exposed* and repented of, and the n -
ivented from plunging into deeper iniquities. One in the
canqi of Israel had contaminated himself with the accursed thine ;
and the people being blessed with a wise and godly leader, their
reverse at Ai was made a means of arresting the progress of abomi-
nations which would have caused God to desert them, and give the-
t up to destruction.

Trnic *''" interpretation of a reverse in a way consistent with (the
power, j u e and goodness of the Almighty, and .humiliating to
himself and his people, led Joshua to success ; and no commander
can receive a check in a cause more sacred or one in which he can
have such authoritative J&jsuranee that God is with it.

The leader of Israel was not so foolish and so impious as to fear
that u c >nfession of the displeasure of Heaven would strengthen his
enemies, and injure his own cause ; he was well aware that if Je
hsvah was for him, lie could not be defeated, and he was inspired
to know that the honor of this perfect Being required every reverse
td be considered as directly scut by Him, aud for the offeness oi
those concerned.

nch a course he not, only did not weaken his cause, but he a-
voided all further defeats ; and this example remains a selema, ei
phatic and perpetual admonition to the nations.

The history referred to is recorded in the 7th chapter of the Book
of Joshua, and is as follov.

" But the children of lata* I < sgimitted a trespass in the accused
thing : for Achan, the son of Carmi. the ton of Zabdi, the son oi
Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing : ami
.rcr «f the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which i< beside B$tl -
Oj en the eeei side of Beth-el, and Fpake unto them, saying.,
♦lie country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
7

UPMKAL ntWI

a rued to 3

■ ' three tl and

I men ;

f them ab»uf thirty and r thei

Sbel arim, and in
- down : wherefore the hearts of the ] ilted,

.-inn ter.

I
re the arl ontil the eventide, 1 the elders of

ul put dustPupon their beads.

Lord God, wherefore 'hast thoo at nil
this peopl deliver na into th< hai

\,, n >uld to <!<)'l we ha<l been content, and

dwell ! 'an '

(I I. r.i. what shall hen I -rati turncth their baoks befor*

their

i all the inhabitants. of the land shall hear
I shall environ lj and cut off our name from the earth.

• hat wilt thou do unto thy great nam I

the Lard aaid unto Joshua, Get thee a] liest

]■ thy fa<
: bath sinned, .• have also trai

which ! c immanded them : (or they have even taken oftheaoeni

.1 liare also taken, and dissembled also, and they have j>u:
.Ul >tuff
■ the children t>f T rael Could not ' their SU-

/ turned their Vaoks before their enemies, because they «
neither will 1 !»• with you any mote, ■ rcep.1 ye <le-
from among yu

,fy the peonle, and
for thus saith the JjordGodof Israi
thing in the midst of thee, 0 Iarael : thou canst not ^und before
♦him enemies, until ye tub; away ti.' from auKin-

you.

In the morning therefore jt- .-hall be brought according to your

(ril„ • shall hi-, thut the tribe which the tiOfd taketh bhall

the faeniliea tkeretf} and the family whioh th«

IiOrd shall take shall come by household*! and the household which

<he Lord shall take shall eo«M mau by man.

OJ NATIONAL TRIALS. 51

\nd k Bball be, <A*< be that is taken with the" accursed thing shall,
be "burnt with fire, be and all tbat be batb : because be hath trans-
gressed the covenant of the LqwJ, and because be batb wrought folly

in Israel.

So Jovhu. rofce uj* curly in the morning, and brought Israel by
their tribes ; and the tribe of Judab was taken :

And he brought the family of Judah ; and he took the faiuny Oi
theZarhitc- tod he brought the family of the Zarhttea man bj
man ; and Zabdi was taken :

And he brought bin household man bj man ; Mid Y L.,i. the son
of Oarmi', the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judab.
was taken.

And Joshua eaid untd Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory te
the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him | and tell nu
now what thou hast done ; bide it not from me.

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned a-
gainst the Lord God of Israel, and thus have I done :

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and
two hundred shekels of silver, and' a wedge of gold of fifty shekels
weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold,
hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it,

80 Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the teat ; and, be-
hold, it teas hid in his tent, and the silver under it.

And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them
unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out
before the Lord.

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan, the son of Ze-
rah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his
MM, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and hi, sheep
and bis tent, and ftll that he h*d : and they brought them unto the
valley of Achor.

An,! "<*> Why hast thou troubled us? the Jiord shall

troul,i" '' l»7- And all l;r,.< 1 I .nod him with iDd
burned thorn with Ore, after they had stoned tl

U" him a great I ;

be Lord turned from th ,QT'C

the,iaI'" I, The valley of Achor, unt. this

; }od may be wit

\*°l] arily againrt their armt ; and

1r0B' hat

howc" r yctroTer.-,

• ■ . '

This trn*h is ; I J I ■

and is so e*s^' Nature as it i- revealed

a CI
nd perversity ef human nature.
applying I > itself i

prid ■! i ■-« >n.
>in all ag
. 1 1 v. .. with whi

ir of eartl
: and they think thnt i be Phari

of J ~ them I ligo from Heaven, that Is',

1 tlie laws of N.vtu V eould

•lie instrumentality of his fellow.
.re likelj I hi- judgment than when he IS

ito agencies that bav< u i will, and eannot think, j<

-

i in-
dole nation Of I ! ' of
arthqvaks or, | estilem
ia a solemn in ••'■ ioe

artial in (heir
.'.._:. ' the way of a just interpretation;

immunity from whom the rains pf Tl v a are with'
1 will not acknowledge that

irhiob it rtgi tier or even

worse than ihc pmeioui i. of the

ruly wise, suofa partiality of nature is note

prhioh might ho at-

v the kind 'of eases put

.'"'and 26

;

strumentality of hia f
ly like hi me whom

wrong and '

(rue

OP NATIONAL TRTALS.

springs of things, jund contracting his vision to the issue between
liim and his fellow, he ca mot realize that the eyeqof the Invisible
.■sweeps over a wider range, or that His all-cabracing Providence
has made this controversy but an incident in another and more ira-
it drama.
If his human antagonist be unjust and < ruel, and the eoi'i'.e, 1 .

• tue of life and death, its immediate origin in the pa«sions of his ad*-
-cry, and its issue as depending on his will and strength, wholly
monopolize hi? thoughts ; and Ins philosophy running in this ex-
tremely narrow channel of carnal wisdom is apt to limit the iuter-
f the Almighty to these phenomena, when in fact the whole con-
troversy and all its passions and contingencies, are thenisehvs but
parti of a greater work of Grod, and all ministering to its results.

But if Grod always takes sides with us when unjustly assailed by ra-
tional creatures, then lie has endowed with life and tka power of action
'-eings whom He cannot prevent from inflicting wrong; and though
He may. be defending us against these enemies, yet He created them,
Mid thus is responsible for the injustice which they commit. Can
any Bible reader entertain such an idea ef God for a moment . Can
any one raised and educated in a christian land, believe in and re-
s-pee! a Deity who will not himself afflict without cause, but who be-
stows being and life >n others who can and will involve the innocent
i:i undeserved suffering?

irutli is, that God often makes nations the instruments for
g eacii other — and he does it not for the merit of the agency
used but out of His sovereign will, and for reasons which *-ai, .
orally be easily comprehended.

That this most important matter may be well understood, let a
be cited. '

, .;.r, bitter and fierce, between two neighboring powers;
and in tl il one party, actuated by malicious envy or the lust

of doruinatioi voked, the subjugation 01 destruc-

tioi n\ sailed, or defendant is simply endeav-

orii lintain; his national indi ancient dews

wer. often placed in this hitter situation ; and the nations who in
vad I were their inferiors in mora! char

;

.ties
by

the calm light of histor

1

1. ...

r former in tl n which I

. bile thc\
iblu,

ntatuat-
■hat
. in-
stru Elting 1 \

I

ment
it La inflicted, whi I •without

- « -uly

w could t: fined ''.

oaneed \>y

, ; manner in which it eng . . will

i i '..ino displeasure; and in such

.

■
. .till in'': D, and ■

• ha I h nal

which it did . and which

, fur whi .1 mind can

king party.

A greet, > 'tew Bted . crt!<

into a ool ■ • . ism for t ':■ dc-

. . •,

charac-

un _

lidly to liht-n_\ : . id it I S I'llll

I ni,( '1

r the

and every step in iu t in mark*
the heat

. heir worl

. . bhi and their i §■■-

I and

thr "ii all D I >anc

t'ur\. rwA

ill. s

et alone : they si their

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. :>D

own frontiers, and in defence of homo they fall b\ the thgusi
while the burning torrent of invasion rolls its smoking 'course in all
directions over the -devoted land, consuming peaceful villages, con-
verting provinces that smiled with plenty into desolate wastes, and
daily increasing thctmultitude of the homeless and houseless.

Who hurled these maniac legions with d insatiate fury

upon a nation desiring pear : provoking war?

Su b a phenomenon, beheld from a distance, has a moral which
cannot be mistaken : and the people who have searched in vain
a reason for their calamities in their conduct to their human ene-
mies, must have incurred the displeasure of Heaven, in some etl
way.

God is omnipotent and a God of Justice : why then does ht per-
mit .. to suffer such cruel wrongs while defending a cau*e so
righteous ]

Why are the1 authors of those calamities precipitated upon
dire havoc of their own interests in their attempts to ruin those who
are merely defending thomselves 1

As already stated) Buch a case has occurred : and when the pa'6-
sionB which this dreadful crisis in the world's history has aroused,
haVe passed away, the leadings of Providence will appear so palpa-
ble that the chief wonder in regard to the strange era will be tin
iaot that any among the people interested, with Moses and the proph-
ets before them, could fail to improve the-lessons taught.

There is another reason why the Deity should choose to inflict tin-
chastening which it designs on an offending people through the
agency of another human power actuated by wicked motives; and
that is, that the character of the latter may discover itself to the
world as it ap] ears is the sight of Heaven, and thus justify in the
eyes of all men the retributions in store for it For example, the
Bal . had reached a depth of depravity of which the christian

lie could have had no i n 'out for its connection with, the

afflif ' d visible Church; and had we known of this great

ire only from the description's of profane history, we would have
hat its total destruction was s world.

saw and marked the spiritual loathsomeness of this mistress
of the nations ■ and he allowed the wickedness of the nation to d<
velop itself in the chastening? which He designed for His own pecu-
liar peoph . that thereby a double purpose might I iplished.
h, tl justly afflicted for their -and at
; he same time the instruments of thi- I't were tllowod »4

SORIPTI

■
■

and

I
their tru, r and ju

Rg

I . ■! im-
pioa ■ -. . U ■■ or B| but fie sa ■■ beir o i tujM

hear:- ripen ii itruetion, and 1I« turned tlu-ir : ■ iito

irork oat Hia own righteous | with •respect

.
• events : i
traverse b prarity ripening for death in I

:. nation, u!iiJ Ilo Beei ains ip i | >ple which He dc-

display
i
er. Aii'l thus the power to be cl imprest

\j a i of tin -ailing j

publicly ; • ■ - . ' • I. ird's

be right 14 rd which an ail

of infinite i... those i"i!-

•er: • ripture) i resented.

When a nation, standii >eo of it*, undoubted rigl l

nuj' led ' has no reason to conclude

this t'af with it in the ordinary f the word;

but the position el !»■ i P »w<

of by what scoura to them in thi . >f the- s*

gl*.

I; ■• . ,: ti tedj they may be perfectly thi displeasure.

I Heaven for their existing- diapoeitieoa, or for previou* and unre-
pent and whether Gcd awil] be with their cause or not

df\ llyon the niauner in which th< Eliaadmonitii

ft igri thai good ' design a community

begiaaing of its national earear, and wlu-n
infu] : for rehukea at inch times are best •
tvsatad to produce pvop< ds, and reformat

the • times, are generally more thorough,

and ire al i - lasl ing.

Bui th> vuip m of !/•• /'■'•■ 9/ not be iteftaied; calamine* tat/u

• OF NATIONAL TRIALS. . 7

from Him, and are aent'for sin, and the lifted rod Mill not be /</• .
<rside ti'l the offending party is healed or destroyed.
PROOFS AN1> Il,T,lTSTRATIONS.
,Tbe Jewish nation wis scourged, at different times, by most of
the powers of the world extemporary with them.

T.baf agnations were inferior, in general moral character, to the
[sractitds, had as these often were, we nave abundant reasons to bje-
The modern student is sometimes misled on this subject by
the tborougb exposure of the mural pollutions of the Jews in their
history, the infallible Word of God, and by the want of a true •
christian light in the Lit srature* of the heathen to reflect their spir-
idition Had the state of society in the great idolatrous
nafriuiid of antiquity h'je.n depicted by an inspired prophet, living
g them, and thoroughly acquainted wfth their habits — or had
their inner life and character been described by any one, whose
standard of morals was taken from the Divine Law, the representa-
tion would have filled the modern Christian world with disgust and_
loathing. But we have- a right to conclude that the descendants of
■ . in general character, the first race on' earth :
KiRhX. Because they were God's chosen people, they were His
\ Lsible Church on earth, were trained by Him, had His Word among
'hem, and were constantly instructed by inspired men.

SECONDLY. The jealousy with which the laws of their Divine
King gn irded them against social intercourse with all other races,
unless the litter would adopt their religion and become incorporat-
i d with them, is a plain and impressive evidence of the greater de-
pravity if every other people.

TuiunLV. Lverything left by the civilized pagans of antiquity
which illustrates their religious, moral and social habits, speaks a
uniform language of a depth of pollution inconceivable to the pres-
ent Christian world.

FoUttSHLT. The Holy Scriptures, by their facts and doctrine.-.
\ the same lesson: and there is abundant evidence in profane
history of ;he treachery, ferocity, cruelty, sensuality and profligacy
»f th< nati Da who warred upon the Jews. •

Ye! te these -'terrible of the nations," (rod often sold His people

thoir itna ; and this was done, while these very rods of the Di-

feng • Med up themselves against Him who wielded them.

Ml the pagan world hated the Jews, because it was in heart bit -

tile to the God nf Israel; but the righteousness i if the grca;

5 allowed those .vh" followed banners that openly defied Hi

snip about the holy City, and to offer in

\

W» T Hi- t li r-

It ■

v.,

- :iiul \»'

rrible thj i ■ ni,

. h ilitcd warfar Me.

But wb< a t!:t so id
. they wei i

'■►'■. \ .

: ■ .

tole

i

tl] fd.

' . th< Old

pro] •
btl
■
bo Jews, 1 '"r theiv

ling

• . in-

en?

en he told them 1 bal obe-

• tlnir lite,"' ami that tin4} i.t\'i-

i b« ban i bid laid then " fer their

, nu'l :il!
• i Mega fro; feeble

r I I ft fl

{, | . orb all

• . Bgi ■ firiehi to : .

.if the 1«

tent with
r]:. 1 lutheritj

I

iicableto

oi xatjona.l Trials. 69

some of the points in this ; and the reader is asked to eonsnlt the
Book of Judges ; Eackiel xxv. 1:0, 31x 32 ; Jer. xlvii. 48, 49, 50,
51 ; Isuiah xxxii. 34, 47 : 10, 13, 1*, 15„21.

It i.i Dot necessary to add more ; but attention is called to the
important teaching of the following brief quotations :

': They chose new gods ; there was war in the gates." — (Jk/d, t. 8.)

" 0 Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand
j; mind indignation." — -{Is. x. 5.)

"Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man- that cxecuteth
rhy .counsel, (iota a far country." — (/». xlyi. 11.) ''Thou hast, pet
up the right hand of his adversaries." — (P(t. lxxxix. 42.)

li Deliver my soul from the wicked, which i:- thy sword: from
men which arc thy hand, 0 Lord, from men of the world which havi
their portion in thi-3 life, aftd whose belly thou fillest with thy hid
treasure." — (Pe. xvii 13, 14.) (It will be seen here that the Psalrniet
recognizes the wicked as the sword of <Jod — and states that they arc
fed or sustained* by Him, until Ahey have done His will.)

This sword is sheathed when a man or nation is without oft'ent<
before God — for '•' when a inan'd ways please the Lord, ho maketr.
bis enemies to be at peace with him." — (JProv. xii 7.)

-i-|»lPTim\L V K\T-

< I I v i • T I C R VI.

Rational i United. — A ttriking

the trull rw of (he /

The Holy Soripl u il and other I

rebelled . Fell

tl . Rod are I nal chains lor evcrlasl

>e spirit! ; f i • u the I -. ami the

lies 1" ■■ and thi

1 ra - . bia nature all that is rile, false, cruel, destructive,
• stable
He \* in perpel G I, and th( ;.t of the

and bj ^;'. has b( en Intro -
• to this wj rid by Adam'.- fall, and dwells in the !
ii permitted, foi n isi and I
at here tl ' bis infernal arts.

B is allowed to be s tempter, not to make men Bit oera. bi
• lop what IS in man, -and expose to a fallen ra.- its d
'.itioi. and its need of a phai

. ahioh the. Prince of darkness is permit-
to exercise ore* mortals, ia proportioned to tl depray-
j j aad when men are .-aid to be aednoed by him, they are simply
l< r the influence' of paaei ind which tli.'
: has drawn out info action.

\rcli Bfiaohief Maker hate- all I i| mortals as a con-

. a( f his hostility to God : he and his legions have ncTet, in

... been harmed by any of t b<* children of a\dam, aad
■ dq with nnd\ ing malioe.
Won irhat has the Chnroh «■■■• r taught in regard to this state ol

•
ll.i- it held that when man sins under the influence of the tempt-
be excused — and that God will not condemn1 him,
part ?
Saa i: taught that it ia inhuman to denounce sin and not I ex-
ist he ia the victim of the causeless sjiile of

1 rod and B

It this were the doctrine af the Scriptural and of the Church,

tnaidered unpatriotic to believe that a nation, af«

. OF NATIONAL TRIALS. (1

ted bj enemies whom it Lad n< t injured, was blameless before
I ; but no such idon has ever, for a moment, been entertained by
orthodox believers in the Holy Oracles.
Though Satan is man's enemy from the inherent malice of hi?

i'H'm reprobate nature, the victim of his arts is considered as justly

suffering the penalty of his sins ; and not even the most holy angels,

much less ei-ring mortals, are permitted *.» bring railing accusation?

against an adversary whom the righteous Judge permits for a season

e a tempter. •

For to assort that his power is iniquitous, is to condemn Him who

■mitted him to exercise it ; ?vnd all that is allowed to tkxi creature

despise this fiend for his sinfulness aud opposition to God, t->

resist and fly from him a.- tic enemy of all that is good and pure,

and to repel his arts by Hie means which God has taught are most

effectual to that ei

Men are allowed to contend with him ; but they must do it not
with his own devices, but witl the armor which the Almighty Sov-
ereign is ready to lend i<- all who would escape from error.

V nation MnnoK have more malicious, enemies than the duskjv
legions of hoi) : and tin- worst people that ever '-xisted are infinite-
ly belter than the Devil and his angels.

And if it is not unchristian nnd inhuman to hold that the mor-
tals who are afflicted by their sins, that is by Satan's devices, are
justly dealt with, how caff it be unpatriotic t-> say that a community
wantonly assailed by malicious men is righteously chastened by the
Almighty ?

Has God more control over devils than over men .'
Has he less pity for those whom the Arch Fiend leads into dis-
asters than for such as are afflicted through other instrumentalities ?
c reflections bring us naturally to another and most impor-
tant consideration; and that is, that the maxim about fighting the
with lire, is the very coinage 'of hell

1 y stated, creatures are allowed to contend with the great

• retry of God and of all good bei ly commanded

do : but they must Sght in a v tent with tjie nature

sue, and of the prize at stake. Satan's object is to make

ther- like himself : thii accomplish-

■ that? even hi < inceire. T 1 e like him is ti

r, awful and eternal rain ; and there \ -rreat stake in til

— with him is the character which the party he wai
me.

:rc — and this j
• -sailed, 11

fin -
■ • ■;
r of
reilH de With*

Unman ai

I, this natier.ai

I . blc in tl.'

light of Heaven, and trb i of merited judg-

Oiost iiiij red.

[f a | ; we«n

; tl r ;
and and

.

. ' ; • which a wi •'.'•■' and Lj runt

hi reduce u i

;.Ii for his cause— he oan wear
ad in a di ■ ■ nnoouquej i d anal

. bnt when he become* the victim of
: and rain
The u bt bifl adtersarj with hit* own

lorn
anti .:i 1 \vh: icufariiis nia .ate,

virt;. > ioked polity I | Ll the

I j tr i u ui [
•iitlui .-u.-j.-ot, and itsiintioi- i.iindp

. in another light.
\ ■ . • i a the conduct < : all wicked lj i i at-

ari ol the minikti - ■ >o ho

on all thej deem Lj
i the workiugi • trom

e lie lu .-t cmi-

1; ik . ; .* [.art oi' I I fforld

Ivini .re-

or NATIONAL TRIALS. A3

proofs ,v,I ministered to evil doers, and charges preferred agoing
them, especially- ratling charges, at the throne of Omnipotence.

The good man will not fail, when acting according to his chris-
tian instincts, to d< but not even the Archangel Gabriel
dare .before God.

the clergy] r priests of the assailing party thus \u\-

pious lircct tl. Jehovah, their condor-

shftiild ' le, much less ;vn femalous

spirit : nee in kind against such denur.

tione betrays a want of tfue religious character, and a fearful
flin^ with the attributes of Jehovah!

iirse and rail, their blasphemy will not jus-
ourN : inciple ittvolved is not changed by 'the fact, thnt we

may I t have the gi the vengeai

of Heaven.

Doi ill who indulge in this kind of preachiftg justify then -

selves ":. the^gronnd. that they are calling for justice on the enemies
of Go i ; rod such rtmd-mcn,in opposing nations, are separated no*
principle, but Only by their own opinions as to \vhvh bjn
claim to the privilege of wielding the thunder] Omflipotefr

Each acta as if (J od's jealous prerogative^ were to he delegated {•■
men ; -h claims the right for mortal hamls to seize the ligl '-

nings o* \'engeance, and to blast.- ver he

deem the Most High.

G<' I throne where He ha- vat in awful 1

from eternity ; nnr has He laid
approprii I *!io first daring' finder.

;t His jut
their n hurt only themselves n which

our ; and the iple who their hat.

are sal bo their horror of su< h

proc

Dor is no nation hut has among its spiritual guide!

defend tl ' ■ • and tbjeii bj

as may I • ■ ih-

trcngth of tbi and

a curse; and I struggling with

'; fortitui caps* ofjosti

tiblc and pernicious
S« *< uld

u fr« )• wl ■
tried I

■
ible "ill > •

'nl ;*« Ion :

I !

PRi I as A.n i IATIONS. •

' -

s ■

ities — this godly 1
iway : !
•• • all tlii-.'" ! ■ •'

■ . i I ! I . .' .

— :itwl in .
I I hi vill find in ch. ; I

I ,i i ' • strv I K

i ml mud,

\ I mighty '• n

■ ■ >\ ctta 1 1 id, let liini i
d Job anawered the Loi
Id, I :ii:i vik- : wli: it shall '
band upon hjy mouth.

:mav cl i • • • j but I

iv HI pi

•

■ hi ' I 4i( died :

I hem I i'
r the 1 . • ■ lid keep ■' .

ks "•■ .-■ I bi .
•.I - of the1 Lord; which he c
their fathers by the band • f Most - "' Judgt liil -1 |
■' the stub • wdorfl ol the prino<
• him to inqui ifovdor that wee (lout

in the laad, (Jed 1< ft bim, to try him, thai be might know all
wtu in in ii. 31

••Ai mc Joiihua the high priest atanding before the

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. ' i

angel of the Lard, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist hi: .

And 'the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, 0 Safes
even the Lord that bath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee i is not tl •
;; brand plucked out of the fire-?

Now Joshua was clothed with lilthy gain. cuts, and stood before
the angel." — I Zrc/t ii;. 1-3L)

•■ B( sober, bo Vigilant* because your adversary the devil, as ..
jig lion, w.tlketh about, .seeking whom he may devour :
cm resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afhM -
tiou* are accomplished in jqxlt brethren that are in the world." —
1 Peter v. 8-9.)
-'• Whereas angels, wiiich are greater in power and might, bring
no; . accusation against tliem before the Lord." — (2 Pet. ii. 11.)

■ • '. S Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he
ut the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a
, . ccuaation, but said, TLe Lord rebuke thee-'* — (.Judc 9.)
•■ T >,geth vengeance, and recompense." — (Devf. xxxii.

. that ye be not judged.
For w. ;. ivbal judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and yith
\\}\.d measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." — [M

nerefore tkoa art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou art that
]\u\'c .rherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thj-

self 5 for thou that judgest doest the same things.

But. we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth

isl them which commit such things.
And thinke.-t thou this, 0 man, that judgest them which do such
things, and decst the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment ci
'—{Rom-, ii. U'j.)
" Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that spcaketk evil
ther, and judgeth his brother, spcaketh" evil of the law, and
: th t lie law : but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doe
law* ti l< a judge.
Ther lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy • wh 3

another?" — (James W. 11-12.)
■• Bui Grod is the judge : be putteth down o»e, and settcth up ar>
.thcr."— (I's. lxxv.
" Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God
•aniiot be U mpted with evil, neither tempteth he .my man.
very man is I ■"hen lif> is drawn away f hi- ow:

net i. 13-14.

0

W x-PTTT! HAL V1BW>

< • »f \ y T in i? v i f .
Jfylteriova I'

Human nature is fallen ttkd
< u<\-

icount that men often
I towards them as mjstr: [inscrutable; a»d in

the blario for afflictions is ingeniously shifted froxi 'V..' sufferinr
'•reatnri1 to the plans of the great Creator.

Poople du not sTip»>osc they are impugning the: wi^dniu, powee * •
goodness of find, when they refer to His afflictive
Hctcd on priuoiples not to be understood ; but they- do plain!/
by such language that the cau«e for these dis'- die-

i red by the mortals concerned, and is not u neoereary result
•ircir actions or disposition.

Still, they are willintr to :M!mit that the Divin • I
ions for His course in the promises — but it' H ..-. the* are i
t-o be understood by finite minds, ::nd therefore tann«t ' Utplail
OB any principles of human philaophy.

This explanation of the ways of Providence towards man is eat-
'remcly offcnsiTO to the .Supreme Ruler — and Indeed h is veil cal-
culated to impair thf o/>nfidcnc» of His creatures in Him as a ftej-
fcet Being.

y the least} it represents Him as allowing H ots to

r without knowing the cause ; and thus attributes \o His Got-
^rnme»t such radical and fatal imperfection as to reader the results
•>f good and evil action wholly uncertain.

Tn fact this couro ©f reasoning removes all obligations CO obi*;.
<:k>d at all; for if His dealings with His eroaturcs ere to be 8
iuotcd un rules not revealed and not to be understood, why should
His written Law be regarded ? IT the Almighty Sovereign has tv.<
•ystems of action towards nis subjects, the one made known and th'
ither reserved in His own infinite Mind, aro not His srei tares in .--
most deplorable condition and without inducement to do good, or to
abstain from evil? is there any distinction between good r.;A evil?

What is the purpose of a written Law if it alone is not to judge
?.ll the actions and dispositions of those to whom it is given ?

This whole idea of mystery is a *nbtorfrTge, a sinful InYenttal Of"

et NATIONAL TUIALS. *7

human pride which would degrade the Creator rather than confer
a fault in self; !*nd it is in direct conflict with the plain teaching-
' - f that Word which has been revealed from Heaven as the certain,
eternal and immutable rule of life and death.

God has beon " manifest in the flesh," in the person wf liis «
. equal Son ; and it is to this Being, so known to as, by His own ap-
pearance among us, and by His full aDd complete Word that " ail
judgment is committed. "• There is not a mysterious invisible,' u»
known power behind the Son, reversing His decisions — but " tfc-
Father judg^ I an, but hath committed all judgment unto the

.Son^ that all uerj should honor the Sou, even as they honor the
Rather. He that hoftoretb cot the Son, honoroth not the Father
that sent Him."— {Jot- i» v. 22-29.)

To refer' afflictions, therefore, to a mysterious will of the Father,
wet and beyond the system of Christ's Kingdom and fttiic, is a dis-
honoring of the Father, even though we insert a earing clause to tie
afieet^hat this inscrutable Will is righteous.

And this Sou emphatically says, "And if any man hear my
and believe not, I judge him not : for I came not to judge the world
out te save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth riot my
WWls, hath one that judgeth : the word that I have spoken the same
ihail judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of mysoh'-
but the- : Father that sent me,He gave me a commandmen^what I should
. -ay and what I should speak. And I know His commandment is
We everlasting : whatsoever I speak, therefore, even as the ftthci
<aid date me, n I speak."— {John xii. 47-50 )

What can be more explicit ? God has no. other rule of action to-
ward, 11 is creatures than that revealed in connection with and bv
Hi, Son JertMChA*. and Christ Himself will not judge by arbi-
trarj *,]!, but according to the commandment of the Father and
Whxcb cpnmndment He has made known by Himself and His p'ropb-
eto, as the Herd that is to judge all men, test all actions and dis-

^n ' and »™r<UH retributions. Iu this sure Word all that

a neeesaar, fo, man to know, all that concerns Am welfare in time
«nd U fully and plainlj Btat(jd ^ eternal ^

*tedmjudg«ent: thi, is the rod of iron that smites all nations,
the rule that accounts for all the mutations and afflictions of time
Th,ro u „ Ul u in any of th^o thingg: the reasona wd •

pies oi all (,od's dealings with us are plainly stated, and "belong
to u* aad to onr children."

FURTUEK T&00F6 AND ] LLUSTRATIOK8.

tt is to be noted that ia vho prayer of Daniel, quoted on pages

.■itt i ra:. \ if.ws

'1 hifl people hail
from the laws i f <InJ —thai bh
■I that tl Jet ' thr

.••1 EL repudiates all idea of mystery,
em] hatically recognise*

iting idoh 'lie tint? fulfilment

."hi-
■ fnl • h the same doctrine in the

y< r recorded fur our Instructii ; and it occurs in the inspired
of other holy i

ings ball ng unto the Lord our. God : bid
l's which ealed and f<> oui children for

do ell tfc ■"'• xxix. .

r he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law
irael, which he commanded our father.-, that th«v should make
• known to their ehildren :
That the generation to oeme I tight know thern^ even the children
h Bhould be born : who should' arise and declare them to their
Iren:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the work*
rod, but keep his oommandments " — \T.<. lxxviii. 5-7.)
T the lair and to th- y: if they speak not according to

because there M no light in them " — Is. viii. 20.)
■ Surely the Lord Cod will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret

bis i ante the prophets " Lii. ' ■

'The secret of the Lord is with' them that fear him ; and he will

then his covenant." — (/V xxv. 14.
■11 mystery in the wayi ft »nlf with th( se who do not

I the voice of Hi.- W -. b as fear Him Ho reveals all

Hii ofdealin pe His judg-

.

OF NATIONAL TTUAT.S. G

C11A P T Jffi.K vm.

/j/^A' Views .'/' Natittyal trials, continued ,—r-The manual in vjhich
National, trials art math ■<• \>, ov%ott the cayse of Chrmt on ttorth.

.It is important thfct the reader should not misunderstand the doc-
trines of the preceding chapter.

God is not accountable to Hi* creatures for any of His ways ; and
;ie can 6t*j! Tl is hand and Bay wha,t doest thou ? But as a just
:i:id good Sovereign He has revealed all that it is necessary for His
subjects to know; and lie has set before men life and death, and'
ilv indicated the road to each, lie has fixed the boundaries
een right and wrong; and He has made known the plan and
sons for His judgments towards eVery creature in all his relations.
Every Christian is assured that all the dispensations in which he
- interested are for his good ; and he ought, also, from the doe-
irip.es of the Divine Charter of his faith, to believe that every na-
tional tvial will display the glory of] God. and advance the cause c4'
His Kingdom on earth - •

No one who exi rciees a true faith in the teachings of the Revealed
Word can doubt what has been already stated concerning the origin
and the general result of all national changes aud afflictions, nor
does such faith need the corroborating influence of facts to sustain
it. The best evidence to it is the Word of God which can-not lie; but
the Almighty Disposer is ever confirming His truth before the eyes
of II. s creatures, and at this age in the history of the worlds the ad-
vocate of the Scriptures is enabled to answer the skeptical and to
the faith of the weak ly pointing to the methods by which
public trials promote the cuds referred to It is unnecessary to enu-
merate all of these — but it is well to refer to somo in order to turn
in the right direction the thoughts of th< repassing through

dark dispensations, ore them considerations which

' oiily afford light .-• ncnt, but, also, indi path

of^christian dut} .

• t. The d aa; ho of gn

the cause of ;' ■ he measure of idiq

will be full ai

■ •.'.me without previous warning; and it
those wi d them*

"' 'heir 1 '

MWrvftAJ vn.vm
1

. Like ii. dividual;-.
: ime of tl
Lois, ;1.» j e .11 Buffet tl.i
I . . • ell th< an repei ting

worker? is) iniquity

doom nei ithont aalple warning;

lied bj th< (•1'durat
latur'.^ of th< • ocd

.<■<:. wh.> fear this fate are not those wlo ere in

tiering it; and i.- approach it u>uully preceded

wful del'. aeunoed against those who atl)

.••rt the truth, of bl . I (Mtll tbeil ' if.

ieve a lie. It is unnecessary {*■
tion of such » nation may ad-
raooe the can pel; thefaoteof every case will be so pL

.heir iui i>
i Public calami! erre te reform a nation ; and

are permitted to see this result, we need do further ex-
i. D of their ■

II. again tfa feetations of the populsjr keen will fmruiek

..) the Christian patriot unerring signs of coming i and it" he

litioQ to tremble at the Wurd ot God, .,ud to look

of trouble, an openuees to the truth) and a

thi sins ofeelf, be may be assured that the trial*

• intended to improve its inoral condition, and that

..It ii hastening on.
r. If a nation . r destroyed nor< reformed by it.-1

rial*, tbe righteousness of God is vindicated by solemn admon-
repent : and when reproofs have been often administered)
improvement on the part ol lasti c.d.

id of truth beholds impressive displays oi Divine goodaete
earanoe, and the wei Bparedtoju broke

ath winch will surely couie.
tiiti.r. A v -mmunity which Uou has destined to an Lmpoi
isuse of the Gospel may) in tbe commenoement^oi
i . adnoated by trials for its coming task.
I, in the rightful ©X< Bis sovereignty, may end doec

individuals and nations lor peculiar positions ill ii.fiu-
MMS) and niity; but, as lie rspeatedly assured the Jews,

finr i- I i f< r tl ■ righteousness of the instrumcntali'' ted.

hi t tl M must, therefore, b© trained for their work.

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 7]

If ft nation is seen to be teachable, it Trill bo pl.ved in such cir-
•nmstanccs as will be likely to discover to itself its existing dispo-
sition— and it? trials will be continued until it is turned from its
errors and is brought to a higher standard of faith and morals than
;hat which generally prevails. These views arc clearly illustrate-!
in the history of the Jews,

1( is obvious now that when the descendants of Abraham were
delivered from the bondage of Egypt, they were of a lowoioral ty v<
competed with that of the, rJeOplo who entered Canaan under the
lead of Jp*hua: but even Moses hi raw If was not aware of the bas<
itess of that generation which God liberated from the power of Pha-
iratil its character was proved in the trials of the desert.

We know from history, as well as from the assurance of God Him-
self, that the mere descent from Abraham did not constitute
Jews u superior race; nor were thoy rendered worthy of their illus-
trious career by the knowledge of the high destiny for which Un-
designed.

The repeated assurance from a Divine source, that they we^e
chosen for a great and glorious work did not it tbett for it, nor el-
vate them to a nobler character; nor did all the amazing display*
of Jehovah's power in their behalf, and of Hi? affection for them,
serve to purge out the old leaven of their natures, nor to etrinp
themselves with more manly sinews.

These important facts were to be discovered by the schooling of
the wilderness; and it was not until after they had been long in-
structed by God through His Word and His Providences, that the
Israelites, a? a race, seemed at all superior to the idolatrous and
corrupt nations who were eotemporary with them.

But G«d having chosen then' to a great destiny, educated them
tor it ; and the first part of their training was designed to impress
upon them their native depravity, their innate aversion to a holy
life, their inability in themselv< I se or to follow out an illus-

trious career, and notwithstanding their ceremonial purity and the; ■
nearness, in name, to God, their fixed attachment to vices that would
reduce them, if left to themselves, to the level of tLe heathen world.

The Sovereign of the universe may solect other eommuniti-'s for
places of peculiar honor; and thong!-, do other nation, aa,aucb, w:
*vcr occupy the pln*e of the Jews in the sen<c of being the chosen
race, and of constituting th^ visible Church, yet in all age*
rli-^ pawcrs of the world arc prepared to occupy positions which an
made to rontrihate in a special manner to the *dv*J i emenl
Redeemer's Kingdom.

NT-

Wne» a i infiuciM

rcil! .

men - • • here is 1

.
imf J't>r their in/if! - .'

- .

■ninir fa!

\n*parinifi\

■

virtue ■
-mill when I

... preparing il I

.
•■• purify, elet ate and ounobh
• glorious fatt!rc ; if thej •
■ . but there r> abundant i

D 1.

. Jlw.V ,-luili .

. . ■ . .

D, I *

result of I . national uhari

• ton of their purpi

AND ii. i. I'M i:ai'I"

tbi« chapter are men
b need^ no other confirmation than a knowledge of
and t In following quotations sustain

"Thus taith the Lord <1<k1 rinto Jero lam, Thy birth aad thy
' by father vcm an A.moritt, i

Hittite.

r thy nativity^ in the day iUmi wraet born th\ navel \\;i-

ihet : il
11, no* swaddled at all.
eye piti< aaj of il esa unto thee, to have

paaaioa ■ : but thou w it in the open field, to tin

■'.. ;. that thou wuit born.

And I bj thee, and *a* :''" polluted in thine own

OF NATIONAL TIUAl.S.

blood, I said unto thee when thou toast in thy blood, Live; yea, 1
--'•<1 unto thee ichen thou wast in thy blood, Live.

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon t: > i, behold, thy
time mas the time of love ; and I spread my skirt over thee, and
red thy nakedness : yea, I swore unto thee, and entered into a
inant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.
Then washed I thee with water ; yea, I thoroughly washed away
' \ Mood from thee, and I a) ' nted thee with oil.
T clothed thee, also with bm'idered work, and shod thee with bad
' skin, and T girded thee about with fine linen, and T covered
thee with silk.

I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets on thy

. and a chain on thy neck.
Vlid I put a jewel on thy forehead, and car-rings in thine ear?,
and a beautiful crown upon thy head.

wast thou decked with gold and silver ; ancl thy raiment wns
--'fine linen, and silk, and broidercd work ; thou didst eat fine flour,
and honey, and oil ; and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou
didst into a kingdem.

,..j renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty;
tor it mil perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee,
*aith the Lord God." — Ezrkie' xvi. 3 — 14.

Under the figurative language used abo.ve, God would impress
with inlinite force, upon the minds of the Jews their obligations'to
Him for all that distinguished them from other nations. He chose
them not for their righteousness- — but He clothed them with moral
beauty, because He had selected them for His people.

And as they were without excellence when He set His love upon
them, so were they without power or influence ; it was not because
their virtue, wisdom or strength made them important to God that
they were chosen, but He who set them apart for His service Him-
self fitted them for their work.

"The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor chose you, because
ye were more in number than any people ; (for ye rcere the fewest
fall people.") — {Itevt. vii. 7.).

The people thus chosen were to be educated by the Word of God
and by trials.

•' And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God
thec these forty years in the wilderness, to hunjblc thee, an
prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou would^:
keep His commandment!, or no.v — (Dai!, viii. 2.)

1"

74

< i • \ i * i ■ I . i : ix.

77. < .//. — Tht mo*i doubtful east

(I.

■ ' •
oational I

tery to many j who believe they see

evil than ofgoed in tne immedi afflicting

Jiuj , . and wh< ty from o vague I

that < ii>«i will accomplish Hi- beneficent ends by mean.- inscrutable
to mortal vision.

That the unhappy double in which tl. I is involved may.it'

possible, be removed, Let an

teple whose springs of national life have felt the healing
ur of Divine Truth, is involved in a defensive war.

The whole nation, as a body, i- under the influence of an ortho-
dox and evangelical Church : the christian element of Society is
stronjz in numbers, in learning, wealth and position.

...th the thousand civilising which spring from the

. bold of religious principle on tl r mind, all cl

joy the means of a sound education, 1 i.- regularly prcaeln d

-,., the whole nation by a learned and godly mini.-try. wise and ju-i

■ are faithfully executed, a diligent attention to the honest and

il arts of pea< .f nature to smile with beauty,

q abundance which disarms robbery of the plea ol

. and the wealth and leal of the Church ale founding and
supporting seminaries filled with pupils in training for the Lord'

In tic midst of tki- Mat- 6f things Society is shaken to its foun-
dations with the rude shock of war — of a war on the issue of which
I sistence of the nation i talced, and whose successful pro>-
tion will long and severely ts k all the energies of the country.
War, in Christian nations al | | ears, under all eircumstan-

cralizing: it ttkef aw ay the restraints of law and of
public opinion, relaxes the influence of education, removes large
■i from the softening power of female society and of
- ations, and from the wholesome discipline of daily labor
i of subsistence, sharpens the publlo appetite for un-
healthy exeitemea and dissipation, seoustoms all
classes to sccucs of fereoity and carnage, impoverishes honest men,

OF NATIONAL TRIALS.. "*

paralvzes useful enterprise, and open, a wide and uniting field for
fraud, dishonesty, avarice, revenge, hatred and sensuaity. .

Everv reformatory agency of society seems to be embarrassed and
to suffer-the operation* of the Church to be contracted and weak-
ened, and the humanizing voice of law and letters to be hushed.

All the manifestations of Iniquity are fearfully increased : idleness
and drunkenness become more general and are the fruitful parents
of other vices, and profanity, oppression, robbery and murder a-

bouad.

Such arc the result- of #ar under any -iuuiiistances, if it is long
Coatinued ; but in the. ca.se supposed, the contest is for national ex-
nce, and the assailants in the strife, strong in numbers and re-
sources, and filled with the ferocious energy of mad fanaticism, strike
•it the vitals of the country !>y every weapon which- cunning can in-
vent, and which malice can wield.

■They summon to their aid all the bitter passions of the human
heart ; and thus they provoke to hatred and cruelty on the other
side, and the struggle becomes a prolonged tragedy of unrelieved
horr

Every step of its progress adds a still darker page to the history
of human depravity and suffering; nnd such is the apparently rapid
degeneracy of the times that each year of tho strife seems to bring
the parties interested a century nearer to a savage condition.

What religious advantage can the spectator behold in such a
struggle ]

How can the christian inhabitants of the nation so cruelly assailed
discover more of good than of evil in a state of things which has de-
ranged the whole machinery of Society, paralyzed nearly every moral
agency, and forced a people devoted to peace, to abandon its benefi-
cent arts, and to give themselves universally to the destruction of
war P

If the nation is immediately led to repentance or reformation, tho

es of the afflicting Providences are obvious to all ; but when such
results do not seem to follow, how can the christian philosopher con-
sole himself for the calamities of the times except by simple relis
hi the goodness and power of God, and a belief that Infinite Wis-

m will, in some way unknown to mortals, accomplish its benefi-
cent ends from seeming evil I

Christian, under such circumstances, is nol always shut up to
ray lea£ darkness; and he will find in the following considerations
ample reasons for justifying the state of things imagined, and which
boiaetimcs occurs, u a necessity to tie progress of the Gospel.

MBIPTUBAL VIKWS

PimsT. Thr word demoralize! appliod to those phenoi

I ich result fro: iften used in an improp

ttflict with fun. doctrines of the Revealed Word

The amount <ji orime ie iucreaa <i by war — but the towceot

unconverti.il human heart, is oo( rendered more capable of
The Bum or' all sins is to lie alienated from God, and i;
llion i" Sim ; and edition el \every man by natun .

and each one in thi^ state U capable of any iniquity which man
ever perpetrated. ' "The!,- igt and de6-

perately wicked : who can know it ?" (Jer. rvii, 9.) "And I

that the wickedness of mai great in the earth, and that evr

cry imagination of the thoughts of bis heart was only evil contin-
ually." {(I'.*, vi, 5.) "Behold. apen in iniquity ; and in sin
did my mother conceive me.'' | Ps. li, 5 i "God looked down from
■ en upon the children of men, to set.- if there were any that did
understand, that did seek Gpd.

EVcry one of them is gone back: they are altogether become
filthy : there is none that doeth good, no, not one." < Ps. liii, 2,
'■ lie that trusteth in his OWD heart is a fool." (I'rov. xxviii, L'ti
'• This it an evil among all thing* that arc done under the sun, that
there is one event unto all ; )ca, also the heart of the sons of men is
full of evil, and madness i in their heart while they live, and a
ti at they go to the dead.'' — AY. i.\. 3.

" For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." — M>ith.w, 19.

' Now the works of the flesh arc manifest, which are these, Adul-
tery, fornication, uncleamuss. tasciviousneM,

Idolatry, witeh oraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife,

• ion heresies,
Bnvyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such Like." (Gal.
v. 10-21.) " For we our.-t I were sometime.- foolish-, disobe-

nring diven) lusts and pleasure-, living in maliee
and envy, hateful, and hating one another." (7Y/u.s iii, 3.) Such is
of the natural or unconverted man, as drawn by the
of inspiration : and if the reader desires further light on this
ader the following terrible passage : " What then?
Ar- r than thrij? No, in no wise ; for we have before prov-

ed both ileS, that they are all under fiin ;

\ bit written. There is none righteous, no, not one :
Tlo ; that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after

God.

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 77

They are all gone out of the way, they are together bee >me un-
•vofiitable ; there, is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they hare
sed deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips :

Whose 'mouth is full of cursing and bitterness :

Their feet nrr swift to shed blood :

Destruction and misery arc in their way.v;

And the way of peace they have not known : m

There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Rom. iii, 0 — 18.)
This awful description of unconverted men, Jews and Gentiles, sav-'
age and civilize!, educated and ignorant, is sustained by numerous
other texts in the Holy Scriptures; but enough has been quoted to
prove the assertion that every son of Adam, in his natural state, can
i rguilty of the worst crimes ever committed by a member of his race.

The unchanged heart is a fountain of all iniquity ; and a thorough
appreciation of this fundamental truth is the lirst step in every- judi-
cious and useful effort to promote the welfare of the human race, and
au essential pre- requisite to a just appreciation of the necessity of
a Divine and crucified Saviour.

Now, in a nation that has long enjoyed the blessings which flow
from the gospel, there springs up a state of things unfavorable to the
full and practical recognition of the doctrine in question ■ for all
but those who are instructed by the Holy Spirit are tempted by
their carnal pride to attribute the advanced state of civilization, and
the general prosperity, to human agencies, and to the more noble
matures of the new races of men. A subtle but fatal form of infidel-
ity even creeps into the bosom of the visible church ; and all
literature begins to breathe the same spirit, so flattering to human
vanity, so opposite to the teachings of revealed truth, and so dis-
honoring to the economy of grace. If the "growth of the nation in
learning and prosperity is more rapid than its progress in vital god-
liness a deceitful and dangerous «ondition,of things supervenes ; and
if this cnurse of affairs should not be interrupted by some Providen-
tial intervention] the truly christian clement of society would soon
be 1mm ied iu a mass of pernicious errors filling the influential posi-
tions in the Church, and leading the people tc ultimate ruin.

3 h, for instance, has beea the history of the region once em-
braced within the limits of the United States ; and the unexampled
prosperity of the country, due alone to the vital godliness cf tl
who ! iid the foundation of its g] . aided in the development

of doctrines the o; ; Q a just appreciation of whioh

the lasting peace of the nation depeo :

- ■ . ■ ; i . • i \ rxws

Religion is not an inheritance fn m man to man, but a Divine gift

smitted,

;." enjoyed hi \> \ by

, found in thi itv an argu.

rn pride at ihe ex] Truth of that

Kir. The new state of the world

alts were
* i tained that li thii

Hen I triuni] id over the infirmities which had marl

: • r in all ether places, and in all pas! : and th<

■ i . 1 v did which found utter-

; riodicals, in 1 political and anniversary harang

liings of • and professed iJiilan-

, but it admit! I inl < wn strong-holds men who held)

- disgui ■-. principles that would lead to its betrayal.

natural human heart was the Bame it Lad en r been ; hut its

; instincts were held in check by law, by education, and by

te of public opihlOn formed when vital Christianity had a stronger

hold on the heart of the nation.

l>ut every thing was a sham ; the law- were made on the BUppbsi-

thal Divine 'Truth had a more powerful influence on the public

mind than it was really exerting ; im:; of the world crowded into

the Church under th«' same impression, and were careful to present

exterior, and teachers of abominable and
motive heresii unite pains to wrap their deadly poisons

iu learned technicalities scented with the odor of approvi d Theology
. 1: d education, custom, interest and public opinioh had
built a covering over the mouth of the volcano, and imprisoned
the- ■; ruction in the bowels of the mountain; and

i ihe people fondly imagine that the tlames are extinguished and
ling their hopes on the very jaws ot death, God sends au
ike which opens S mouth for the devouring element, and
rkened with smoke and cinders, and the country
deluge of burning lava. The nature of man is
i id when convulsions open the

tred forth from hi- heart such streams of destructive
iniquit riJ ar( ilenoed, all the ingenious theories of in-

fidel ii humarj ibility, are expluu-u and die-

grac< foundation doctrine oi man'- y is

all who have ee. The ren for ihe

n moved is infi mure

injurious ; and though society suffers by the Unlocking ! fath-

OF !i no • 79

tinned I that, inhabit thieve., the amount oi geo

Christianity is nor diminished^ ;i1"'d tin1 energies of the ph,UJfCh,r n
to unwonted activity, are directed with a better Beoafc of the gi
work before it, and of the only means by which it is to be accom-
plished.

In such convulsions, the w: vs inherent in the heart

of man. is developed into action ; and while it is thus made a source
of great suffering within the scope of it.- power, its melancholy and
dangerous condition is impressively revealed, and the havoc which it
.nakes of the best interests of society, exposes the quackery of those
who had pronounced it whole, and prompts to an earnest desire for
the medicine which alone can heal it.

Thus, we can discern an important and glorious use for those ter-
rible forms of national affliction stated above : and the demoraliza-

l of these awful lessons is only apparent, being but an outward
development of existing depravity, permitted by God for the sweep1-
ing away of the refuge of lies, opening the eyes of the nations to the
only hope of a fallen world, and impressing on the Church the par-
amount importance of its only mission, to preach Jesus Christ and
Him crucified as the power and wisdom of God.

And cannot the American Christian, dark and as is the ordeal
through which he is passing, see light in these suggestions?

How eloquent is the language of- the -revolution which shakes the
continent and solemnizes a gazing world ! It is God's argument,
overthrowing with irretrievable destruction^ the sophistriesof a peo-
ple who had used His blessings for the perversion of His truth !

By this terrific explosion Jehovah declares that American Insti-
tutions are not a new gospel * and the moral of the tragedy is not
that republicanism is a failure, or learning injurious, or popular
privileges pernicious, but that man is DEPBAVBD, and in his best
estate, without the transforming power of a living Christianity, is
worse than a beast of prey.

1st the woods the leopard knows hi* kiud,
The tiger preys not ou the tiger brood ;
Man only is the common foe of man.'"

This is B lesson of the American crisis, written in letters of fire,
for the admonition of the nations; and marl; with what appropriate
means does Infinite Wisdom oause ■ :;i!-" and bftpiowi philosophy
to endennine iti owi inundations and disgracefully expose its own

lity !

SO VIEWS

■ . •

trim. Scriptural id

(th the du :

Bad actions ai

and t< There v.

growing impression thai I II tl the world were curabli

bum mi li of the troubl

edbyiguorai rnment. The phi!

region roi or the origin of iguorance .

' that these had happ( n- J
ral nobilit; i . and it con ten

that .-it all events the people in i nc part of A.i
in N ■•; 1, were now fully apprized of all that was n

world. And now this people, wtoo depended on po-
litical t! tl rk i f Christ, ate, through the agency
ernment, seeking to heap the most 'direful calamities
f millions of their former fellow-eitii

tended that the great secret of human pro

the right of the people t« choose their own re ' : •>

make their own laws. are invading with fire and Bwerd half ;\ pqnt •
for daring to .-elect its own form of government without their
: and the community who held that personal bondage, «•■
oi i -savage was the slave and a civilised christian the ma-:
an outrage on the dignity of human nature, are waging a bi
terrible war with the avowed purpose of destroying or ensli •
a whole chzistian nation. Those who could not bear to look on a
gallows erected • foj the execution oi murderers, cannot Batiate
r thirst for bloodj with tin crimson torrents that flow over bat-
tle fields piled with the gashed victims of ruthless war — the believ-
ers in buman perfectibility would deprive a large portion of the hu»
man race of every right of nun ; and they who contended that Amcr-
titutions were a new Gospel, perform with frantic joy, a
dj war-dance over their grave, and wildly exult in the exchange
of liber!), with peace and fraternity, for a despotism that gratifies

their lust foi | and spoliation.

The people who taught that rebellion against God was not such a
depravity in the creature as t" render him incapable of good in him-

■elf, ivoring to prove that opposition to their authority Ik:.'

rendered a whole nation of men, women aud ehildren unworthy of
life: and they who regarded th.' doctrine of bell as an invention of

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 81

bigotry, consider no punishment toe terrible or too long fur those
who refuse their domination.

In short, those who would secure the peace of the world by reas ■.
and philosophy, arc waging against the united appeals of all Chris-
tendom, the most cruel, exhausting and irrational war of modern
times ; and they who believed in man's innate power to sustain him-
self and to reach his own best good, have been permitted to pre*
t^e awful spectacle of a deliberate national suicide in the midst
unexampled prosperity !

And let us turn for a moment to the demonstrations of this doc-
trine of depravity on that end of tl?Q continent where the Chur !
had still maintained a doctrinal purity.

Here orthodoxy of profession had taken the place of vital godli-

: and as the Church standards and philosophy still spoke a pure

guage, the display of infirmity has characterized the actions f

Ijviduals rather than that of public or political organisms.

And can any one look 'upon the scenes presented in the bosom of

9ocietyj in a gallant nation, heroically struggling for existence and

indej , and doubt that man is a hopelessly fallen being, »nd

always ui.'J everywhere, terrible to himself, without the sanctifying

power of a new life from above ?

Docs not the state of things present an overwhelming demonstra-
tion of the truth and necessity of the Gospel?

What is here to corrupt men but their own hearts I
They have not been led astray by theological errors; they have
not been debased by their public cause, for it is noble and generous-,
and demftnds for its success a virtuous and heroic people.

They have not been debased by bad laws or by corrupt political
teachings; and they are placed in a position in which it is perfectly
obvious that tbeir liberties, their property, their security, their
peace among themselves, all their immediate and remote temporal
interests depend on their union in feeling and sympathy, their broth •
orly kindness and regard for each other.

They are, almost literally, one family : they are cut off from the
sympathy, aid and intercourse of all the world, they are shut uj
themselves, and under God, to their own exertions, a formidable and
ferocious enemy pressing on all their frontiers, and their destiny-
a nation trembling in the balance.

And what is the spectacle which their inner life presents? Threat-
ened with famine and cut off from all the granaries of the world.
'hey have to be restrained by the strong arm of the law from CO
verting the statt of life, every pound of which is pre

11

VJ UHOTU& V1KW8

ly poison : surrounded by the infuriate leeions of ■ power that lini
to destroy their liberties and confbeata their property, tiny aid the
public enemy and enhance the common danger? and trials, by prey-
ing nn each other.

But why undertake to draw a picture of what every one sees and
feels ? "What pen can do justice to that insatiate greed of gain which
seems to have petrified the hearts of ■ large portion of the commu-
nity, and has filled society with swarmi of devouring extortioner-
speculators and thieves ?

What language can represent to foreign ears the dark and cheer-
less condition of n society that has felt the blighting power of selfish-
ness developed to insanity, and where men, cut off from the >yn.| I
thics of the world, are never consoled for public trials by domestic
charities?

Tt is not necessary to dwell on this state of things: suffice it v
say, that when man had wrapped himself in assumed perfections and
• laimed as his native glory the lustre which the Gospel had shed on
his race, God disrobes the veiled idol of the nineteenth century
-ets it before the world in all its inherent vilencss.

Man, :is a moral being, is seen in all America to be but a mass of
leprous corruption — and it is found that there is no power in crent-
ure skill to give life, health and beauty to this body of death.

This lesson of the times i« of infinite value: with the general
wreck of human improvements, there hai also fallen a delusion that
was surely leading to the undermining of those foundations on which
tho better hopes of the world must stand.

The Chturob will be called back from many vain speculations and
much unprofitable labor, to a more vivid, profound and practical
apprehension of tho truth as it is in Jesus Christ — the true Chris-
tian will have a more active realizing sense of his task in a world
lying in wickedness, and stripping himself of all the dialectics of
philosophical Theology, and oppositions of science falsely so called
will go to his task with the Spirit of Paul at Corinth, knowing only
Thrist and Him crucified.

The world must now fee that human skill has signally failed to
heal the source of all human woes ; and the true messengers of that
Gospel which ignores circumcision and uncircumeision as nothing,
and proclaims individual regeneration through the graco of God
in a crucified and Divine Redeemer, as the only hope of men and of
nations, will find that this terrific storm has blown down many bar-
riers that stood in their way. The vital Christianity of the age has
not been diminished or impaired : and though the number of true

OP NATIONAL TRIALS.. 83

disciples may be small, they will hear and rally to the voice that
speaks in trumpet tones from these commotions,

" Men of God, go take your stations
Darkness reigns o'er all the earth ;
Loud proclaim among the nations
Joyful news of heavenly birth- :

Bear the tidings,
Tidings of the Saviour's worth.

" What tho" earth, by hell excited,
Should oppose the Saviour's reign !
Plead His cause to souls benighted ,
fear ye not the fac« of man ;

Yain the tumult,
Earth and hell will rage in vain."

As the suVject is not yet finished, tke quotations freni Scripture
are reserved for another chapter.

SCRI1

CHAI'T I i: X

'/'/. J J d- JX continued.

One method l»y which tin- m«k spql may be advam

revolutions as thut which now i America has just I

considered: and two others will noa ited for the consolation

and encouragement of the christian vim lives in these troublous

_
The order commence*! in the' previous will be prow

:is — and ire now come to a Set md use of wars in christian states.
The nominal church is apt to become corrupt after n long career pf

.tli the wcrld and of influence over it. This is bj no mei

owing to the character of Christianity, but results wholly from the

avity of men.

When the gospel acquires such power in the heart of a nation as

• i influence public and private action, unconverted men crowd into

Church from worldly motives • and as religion is not inheritable

descendants of a christian generation maybe outwardly under

the same influence, and yet far different in inward life and charac-

And thus in the course of a few generations an apparently ortho%
dox Church may be encumbered with a Mist amount of dead mate-
rial ; and not only so, but a.- tin- Beemingly christian element ex-
is its influence over the wealth, enterprise and learning of the
i try, the weak and the fal.-e portion of the Church will
begin to judge of its prosperity by the extent vi' its carnal appli-
ances.

Li time all will begin to rely too much on worldly means; and

there will follow a most deceptive and diseased condition of things,

I one which the devout will deplore, while he will fear

od the reach of human remedy.
Th< real gold of the Church will be hid in B vast amalgam of ba-
ilded over ; and nothing but S chemical test from Cod
Himself, or a furnace heated by Him, will separate the parts, and
free the precious ore* from its vile admixtures.
At such timet tl visible Israel seems to consider that it-
rate and fortify Jerusalem by carnal art ; and
re is a vast exj on its walls, bastions and towers, on its

• nsgogucs. The chief energies of the Church are devot-

OF NATIONAL TRIALS.

ed to the founding of seminaries, the construction and ornamenta-
tion of houses of worship, and the writing of learned and polished
essays for critical audiences; and while the vast majority of the hu-
man race are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, a Church,
great in qurabers, wealth and education, considers that it is per-
forming its mission to a dying world by assembling every Sabbath
i - its costly and luxurious temples, listening soberly to w-ell written
discourses, and contributing the hundredth part of its worldly in-
come to the support of a few poor and faithful men who are laboring
earnestly amid the wide destitutions of the domestic and for*
field.

In the mean time religion is made as easy as possible to the mixed
multitude who have honored God with their nominal adhesion to
His cause ; and the lines if the Church and of the world so fade
into each other that there is a large frontier ground which seems to
be common to both.

The keen eyes of infidelity easily detect in the society of professed
1 elicvers nearly every vice of the outside world, only clad in more
sober hues ; and it becomes a really doubtful question whether the
argument drawn from the conduct of its .membership weakens or
strengthens the cause of the Church.

Has not many a devout follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, ie
America, seen and mourned over the reality of this picture?

Have not such, in contemplating the difficulties in the waj of their
beloved Zion, often exclaimed " Return, O Lord, how long 1 Let
thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their chil
dren.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be" upon us."

In the midst of this >tate of things, there is a shaking of heaven
and earth, of Church and State : the day of the Lord comes,and the
messenger of the covenant sits in His temple as a refiner and puri-
fier ot silver.

But this day of the Lord is a day of darkmess and gloominess : it
i j a time of quaking, the face of the covering cast over all people is
destroyed, and the tower.- fall.

Many that shone as bright stars in the christian firmament, shoot
from their spheres and go out in darkness — not a few of the grand
pillars of the Church fall into ruins, and the earth is strewn with
the wreck of Zicn's outward.bulwarks.

But though God sifts the Church with a seive, not grain

t ; and the storm which seems to have blown down thl
Church, does but disentangle its vital element from the \-.,~\ mm
i ring structures with which the world had hemmed it in.

S-i V.IPTURAL VIEWS

The convulsions of the nation sccui to be demoralizing because
they shake every man who is wrongly placed into his right position ;
while multitudes who wore the livery of Heaven are now array-
ed with the enemies of <J"d, every true soldier of the cross is left,
sud the army of the faithful, feeling more completely its depend-
ence on it* Almighty leader, gathers morn closely around His stan-
dard. Mad throwing away every encumbrance, and clothing itself in
the whole armor of God, goes forth to battle and to conquer.

The foundations of a purer Church are always laid in troublous
and though the new house will be inferior in earthly gran-
deur, its; glory will exceed that of the former, and in it wiy the
Ijord give peace to His saints, and from it will flow living waters for
ttfe healing of the nation.

And are not such results more than compensation, to the christian
mind, for all the apparent Wreck and ruin caused by war 1

TkntbLT. While such convulsions break from their hold the vast
parasitic growth that had interwoven its entanglements with all the
energies of the Church.and leave the really christian element unfet-
tered by the world, renovated in spirit, and animated with a more
just conception of its mission, they also shake down many barriers
,' prejudice and false philosophy that stand in its way, and open
up a wider and more fruitful field for its labors.

This proposition will be best illustrated by a reference to facts
opeQ to the observation of all the readers of this work ; and let the
christian patriot of the Confederate States behold in its true light
the condition of things about him.

Is this an unfavorable time for the presentation, or for the recep-
tion of gospel truth 1

What difficulties has this revolution interposed in the way of the
true work of the Church ?

The work of erecting sacred edifices has been arrested — the Semi-
naries l:ui^\u8h,and men are not in a condition to go quietly through
old routines, uqr to sit calmly and amuse themselves by grappling
with the learned dialectics which, in times of peace, furnished them
with a weekly intellectual repast.

The old and easy channels of commuaication between the Church
:iud the very small portion of the world which it reached, have been
interrupted ; the few shady high-ways over which the ancient ma-
chinery of stated Committees and permanent Boards penetrated, on
■a smooth track, short distances into the least dangerous part of the
•ucmy's country, have been destroyed.

A large portion of the well-dressed and well-behaved audiences of

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. 87

many fashionable Churches have disappeared : Choirs have been
broken up, and organs and bells cannot be obtained.

A number of flashy preachers have felt a call to more ambitious
occupations ; and many godly ministers, many faithful office bearers
have been driven from their charges, and many hopeful flocks have
been scattered, and are now homeless and houseless.

A large number of congregations have been dispersed, and a great
many christians have been taken from their usual avocations, and
have gone into the service of the country ; but is all this a loss to
the service of Christ?

Let the account be balanced, let gains and losses be set against
each other.

Xot a few who had a name to live, have joined the world ; and by
this movement the camp of the faithful is purged of traitors, and
dead weights are removed from the energies of the Church.

The mechanics of the Church have been greatly damaged : but the
spirit of Christ was not in these ; and tou much reliance on them in
the past was a serious obstacle in^he way of the more efficient means
<>f God's appointment.

Old routines and established formulas of conducting public reli-
gious affairs have been almost abolished ; but these were not only
not the prescribed channels of Divine grace, but they were often a
great hindrance to the direct, earnest and simple preaching of' the
gospel to a world lying in wickedness.

The multiplication and ornamentation of Church edifices was not
enlarging the congregations of perishing sinners, hungering for the
Word of Life ; and in many places good men were giving their whole
attention to piles of brick and mortar, while every street corner
furnished^more opportunities of reaching the destitute than were to
be found in the gorgeous tenements on which had been bestowed so
much of the time, thoughts and means of liberal-minded christians.

Flourishing congregations have been scattered all over the coun-
try, driven into exile among all sorts of people ; and by this means
the good are mixed with the evil, the salt of christiauity, which was
too much accumulated in store houses, is diffused where it is needed,
and every grain with a true savor, is made to accomplish five times
what it did before.

A great multitude of professing ohristiaaa have gouc iuto the va-
rious departments of the public service; but if they were good men
the spirit of Christ did not forsake them when they left their homes.

Let us select an humble christian as an example of maay — and
let us contrast his spiritual life and work in peace and war.

IPTI RAl. vir.w-

He wac a consi ten! member of 'hurcb, enjo jing the

1 and alotrucnt m and while lie was ]

ttendance at "the bouse of worship, and ga've what

jury, this was about all he could "Contribute io

the Lord.
1 • did n :' muoh importance amid so many blaz-

ing li it paled his glimmci ing taper ; and in a community

customed to a certain unctuosity of manner in those who led in pub-
lic exercises, he could not piny or speak before others to edification.
'I not practised to the mechanics of the Church, and could

waddle and present his ideas with th isg appr iVed tecfii
which had become more important than the thoughts which they
• led.
This man goes into the ranks of the Corif •. .my, and messes

ana sleeps with rude men, from far- different sections, men who have
privileges, and who nave never before been in
i b u tin ■ contact witli n follower of Cliri.-'.

not afraid to talk and read to these daily companion* : h'.<
little taper shines wiih a steady light in a dark place, and to t!

: ■ his blanket, and stand by his side in the storm of battle,
or drink fr hn his canteen as life ebbs from their fainting hearts,
■lit-', in simple word-, the gloriojts gospel of the blessed '
with a power aud to a purpnge seldom reached by those who study
in their closets the wants of a dying world.

And how many thousands of instances of this sort may have Oc-
curred since the war commenced ! How many lfumble follower-
the Saviour, whose lips were sealed at home -by the conventionalities
of a eramping, artificial system, have been enabled to speak a word
in season to those whom the Church, with- all its wealth aud learn-
ing, had. never reached at home, and win. owed their contact wiih
Chri a and their inter esl in their prayers and sympathies to

a revolution which had bente down all barriers of separation and
commingled saints and sinners on its eddying currents 1

tl i true that this concussion lias, to a wonderful extent, shaken
the population of a large country, loosing, as it were, every
man from his station, and mingling the whole multitude into a roll-
ing mass of humanity, the component parts of which, like drops of
water in a boiling whirlpool, are ever changing places: but will the
cause of the Church, in a land of which the professed christian ele-
ment constituted a large proportion, gain or lose by this mixing
process |

Would irt n ' .-< em that <Jod had breken, by this revolution, the

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. I

; • iiitd which the Church had cast itself, and had dispersed
its membership to the four winds, thus forcing it to a more literal
observance of the solemn and perpetually landing injunction tp go
" into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Crod's'firc is in Zion : but as His people had carefully walled it
in with brick and stone, He has demolished their furnaces, and scat-
tered the live coals far and wide oVer the dry leaves of the forest.

Those that do not kindle into new flames were never truly ignited
— but every vital spark will still burn, and the warmth and light
;md purifying power of the celestial element will be diffused through
all the dark habitations of the land

\ :'mu : a night of darkness arid storm has come upon the nation;
ever before in the history of the country, did the true Chris-
tian enjoy such opportunities of demonstrating, beyond all cavil.
the Divine origin of the faith which he professes.

Many zealous followers of Christ have, doubtless, often wished
that they had the power once bestowed on prophets and apostles of
stepping the mouths of gain say ers and of convincing the doubtful by
worl vies ; and God has now conferred on them the glorious

privilege of doing what, to the eyes of the world, will be as amazing
as an interruption of the regular course of nature. They have but to
walk consistently with their profession, in order to make miraculous
displays before the unbelieving : to be honest while all others arc
falling before the power of Mammon, when there is neither law nor
publi« opinion to restrain cupidity from fraudulent acts and unjust
-to exhibit hearts blooming with tender charities in an
atmosphere cold and blighting as the polar blast — to do justly, to
love mercy and to walk humbly with their God, at a time when
judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar, off",
when truth is fallei, and he that departeth from evil maketh_him-
self a prey.

At such a time a really good man is " as a hiding place from the
wind, and a covert from the tempest ; as rivers of water- in a dry
place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."

It is a time of darkness and tempest; and how sweetly shines upon
the bosom of this night of horrors, the serene light of christian ex-
ample !

The saints have but to trim their lamps and set them on their
windows; and every passing way-fare r, out in this dreadful .storm
whi«h has Mown out every other light, will feel and confess the ob-
ligations ©f the world for the only illumination which cannot bcei-
guisced.

12

9% SCBIl'l ; HV VIEWS

individual christians can, in the^c varii
tomplish more than at ordinat , the Church bodj

placed nearer to the heart of the puhlic than in tin .ce.

The raendoua ahoek with which tb< trai has given

unwonted aotivitj to the popular n\ the spectators of a

tragedy where scenes of still i ii other,

are peculiarly susceptible of religious impressions.

The entire public of the Confederate State." has felt that God i?
is storm ; • offered as a revelation fron;

the invisible world, attract st devouring attention.

The Wicked One has witnessed this hungering fur spirit
food, and he is trying to sati#.to it with ashes : he beholds how thr
furrows of the field are gaping for seed, and he is busily sowing
♦hem with pernicious errors.

i He ia turning those who would hear from the otl I, ''unto

them that have familial and unto wiaards that peep, and

that mutter ;" and scarcely asses that the arch-fiend is not

feeding the*eager multitude with visions of blind boys, and dreams
*f queer old women, and prophecies of dying quacks.

Many are trying " lo here is Christ, lo He is here ;'' and breath
Jess attention is elicited to such vile fabrications as stories of woe-
itrful sights in.the Heaven*, and strange voices in the earth, and
mysterious inscriptions on the products of aati

Foolish or wicked fanatics carnalize the Spiritualisms of Scrip-
ture : sensation mongers tell of swords and chariots in the clouds,
and of legends written by invisible hands bo the sand, and thou-
sands listen with breathless interest to miseral lures which
at ether timep would only excite contempt.

• All are eagerly enquiring " What is the will of Heaven:" and
nil arfc ready to hear, with an attention never awakened before, the
message of the Diviie Power.

In the meantime, the chosen head of the nation aid the leaders of
the army, with wife and dovout patriotism, encourage the enquiring
and bleeding population over whose interest' they watch, to look
upward for light and help; and the lungs of all the ministers of
the Confederacy oould not fill the ears that would listen, nor could
-11 its presses supply reading matter to the eyta that would examine
*,be answer from Cod.

The Church can stand upon its high place* and command the sol-
4^n attention of a whole nation whijc it proclaims the Divine Will :
and will it not with the truth in its hand- ■■ ■ imong the eager
and enquiring multitude and cry,

v : AVION AL TKIALS.

81

" 0 generatioi the word of the Lord." — (Jer. ii. 31.) IT

it does not, the fault will bo its own : if a glorious harvest is not
reaped from these convulsions, it will be because the professed fol-
lowers of Christ were n6t willing in the daj of llj.s power

"-, AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

This chapter and the two which precede it relate more to i'aeu
than doctrines. They Qontajn suggestions as to the manner in which
national trials,promoce trie oause of the Church, it having been pre-
viously proven that, auch is, in j-art, their design ; and from the M
ture of things these suggestions do not need illustrations from ike
Divine Word;.

These suggesl ions sed on* the general principles of the Di-

vine Economy already discussed, and demonstrated'by enpious ex- •
tracts from tSe E -!; Scriptures; but the very methods above indi-
cated as . ch wars and civil eommoti . revolu-
tions may be made tc subserve the interests of the Redeemer's King'
♦iom, are* repeatedly adverted to in the Sacred Oracles.

It is u te all the passages in point; but the read-

•i is. referred to is. &ijv. xxv. xxvi. xxvii. Do. ii. Do. xxxii. 14
Luke xxi. 25-28. Jer. xxx. xxxi! J/osea
;.. and many kind) tgefl ■

1/kB,:-:U!7';VCP ****** -^ced my people, sayW

■ eaoe: and ^«W.«4W ^oe; and one built up a w,,l. and if
ahers daubed it with untempered mortar :

Say -unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it
»ualiall: there shall be an overflowing shower ; and ye, 0 „Mt
hailstones, shall fall; and a Bto. shaU r'oud / gMBt

Lo, when the wall is fellea, sllaIl it not be said anfco
u the daubing wherewith ye have daubed Ut

Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will even rend U with ,
tormy wind in my fury ; and there shall be an overflowing abowf
.a aimo-angcr, and great hailstones in n* fury to consumed

So will 1 break down the wall that ye have daubed with untem-
VZ" ^ to the ground, so thahhefo^d"

C ^it.shallfall,andye shall be cob-

"T. -ad ye shall know that I am the Lord.

• '"'"ron the wall, and upon them,

-Peredmor/or, and will eay unto v01,
at daubed it»^LekieixiiL.

' - Irtrangone.wAvcAMat*^

'■'■>

tail and a destroying storm, . rer?

flowing shall oast down to the earth with the hand.

The crown of pride, the drunker hraim, .-diall he trodden

r feet : •

And the glorious beauty, which it i Q the head of the fat valley,

be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer ;

•i irhrn he that looketh qpon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand

teth it up.

In that day shall the Lord of hos of glory, and

diadem of beauty, unt if his pei ;

And for. a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and
strength to them that turn the battle to the get "- - l\ xxviii.
3-6.)
" Judgment also will 1 lay to the line, and ri| ess to the

:imet : and the hail shall swoop away the refuge of lies, and the
waters shall overflow the hiding place." — (/* xxviii. 17.)

" Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth- forth fruit to himself: ac-
ling to the multitude of hie fruit he hath increased the altars ,
irding to the goodnessof his I _'.-."

— (flosca x. 1.)

" And Ephraini said, Yet I am become rich, I hare found me out
substance \ in all my labours they shall find Done iniquity in
that ictrc sin.

And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet
make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of th* solemn feast.*'
-( Hosea xii. 8-9.)

''And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, ami there
will I plead with you face to fi

take as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land
of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God.

And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will bring you

the bond of the covenant." — ( Ezek. xx. 35-37/)
" When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the
Lord shall lift up a standard against him." — (&. lix. \9.)

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 93

< ! 1 I AP T Kli XI.

'/tibU Views of A'ational TYiah — continued. The comparative sits
off Nations not always to be judge. I of by thsir comp trativt

tion*, at any given tim<-. '

The compensations and retributions of Provideucc to temporal
beings are not to be judged of bj isolated facts in their history.
While sin is the eauso of all affliction, the greatest apparent sufferer
at any given time, is not thereby proved to be the greatest offender;
and when we would estimate the character of a community or polit-
ical organization by its calamities we ought to know tho whole series
nftefflictive dispensations of which it has been tho subject, and all
the results of these Providential dealings, immediate and remote.

It is a plain inference of principles already stated that we h.n 4 n*
right to decide on tho comparitive iniquities of a people from the
trials they are enduring at any particular period: this judgement
must be reserved to those far future times which shall see the fruits
produced by these trials, and, also, the dealings of God with the
nation in question, and with all its cotemporarics, to the eud»

It is for the ignorant, the proud, the self-righteous, the bigoted
and obdurate, to assume to themselves superior virtues on account
of their exemption, at the time, from the calamities that have oter-
taken others; but tho instructed christian will understand that the
feet of all uurepenting offenders will slide in due time.

When the Divine blaster chastens a guilty party, it should be any
thing else than a source of self-complacency to His other
who have broken His Law : and the meting oat of the reward of
his deeds to one offending creature is an assurance to all the guilty
-of the certain retribution In store for them.

And on the other hand, it is wholly unbecoming in those v,
justly brought into judgement to refuse to know. they are offenders
because there seems not to be a general inquisition; i» II
jneiit <>f the righteoaeDesi and wisdom of G< d to suppose tin:'
all who have violated His oomtaands ar<
time,the corrections of His hand are not the resull f His displ ure.

To the Supreme Arbiter must be left the judgement of ea<
the manner; vengeance is His. and lb' i Bii

dealing- by tie.' views f His .-ubjects.

b '.'.. foolish and dangerous in us to refuse t 1

94 riiwa

u

[

am,
.:id n«ck deli YC ranee from

■ IV

I

is ttbt fore Him the . <ucb

in quatol |

to one infalli I

When ti tj arraig e liar «-f

this is not to interplead with each other : thej do

onft fur
■ i

ir lcI-u

I anj of H and when li repent-

ii.Milt, a horribly aggravation of guilt to point Hi!"

• riOMB

ioad«r
i art already <iuotc . . LA6 uiauy

rt tn whi« j lead him.

. • . . jp pr w i"u> dim .'1 iei

ire quotation! from the iuspi I \Vi>rd

■a ill be add- '! I

■ i 11 i 111 i
... .'J miuglc
. . :nt" them, Suj

.- u lie red

Ufa

. i fell, and
* .■ all men tl It ia

ner-

ithing 1 . t, until the

will
and tlu erj man

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 95 i

•' Why dost thoH strive against him ? for he giveth not account of
aay of his matters."— Job, xxxiii, 13.

"'Moreover the Lord answered Job. and said,

Shall he that eontendeth with the Almighty instruct him':' Iip that
reprioreth God, let him answer it.

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

1'ohold I am vil«; what shall T answer thee? I will lay miit?
hand upon my month.

Onee have I spoken ; but I will not answer : yea, twice ; but T pro-
ceed ao further." — Job xl. 1-5.

u Woe unto him that etriveth with his Maker ! Dei the potsherd
strivt with the potherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that
faahioneth ii. What makest thon ': er thy work, He hath no hands '."
l.sai ah, xh, 9.

" Who hatK directed the spirit of the Lor 9 his counsellor

hath taught him '.'

With whom ton!; he counsel, and who in*! tucted him, and tauglir
turn in the path of judgement, and taught him knowledge, and shew-
ed to him -the Way of andtrstanding ?" — haiih, xi. 13, 14.

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.'
— Roman* , xiv, 12.
' "Peter seeing hini saith to Josus, Lord, and i# this nan

* ?

Jesus snith unto him, If I will that he tarry till i come, whal .••
ihmt to thee? follow thou me." — John, xxi, 21, 22.

■. \ i r m -

. (ll I'PTBU Nil.

]i',l.h fU ,\ ,.','• ' ','nt'cd. Wht

vail.

ray.

.
Divio. I i oked 1

ill thus 1 •
rises racr< jr for it ;

petitions toot up to Him without
hoar into* oppi

• tly i all uporl tbe Dei1
■. : i I

invocations merely

> • d I

hag Divii ■ ca in eur put \i

ifor; and other iuetan striking and to

can Id be adda

Bvery nation that goes t<> war commits it the Eai

and when tw< . kckno*

:..-l.- for mc
• d e I tolj Bei

• i | ■ the appeals of b

deo that God will 1"' propitii ted by prayer, whatever i<
thai Ur ii all adand bom red by |f> what*

• • pel itioner ; and tl be sluBion m
iptnral and erroneous

M , are froai thi and feelings of the p< titiom r

the ■• ESply Majeetj \t Heaven : for they

i t1 ur npon means thi I
:;re whollj II-:/- bl ribntee.

are offei i the spirit with whiob the)

r it is a melancholy il the pr aomini

ure nothi to the Divine Powi r.

, for the res i ins on which,
■ those who offer them ; for, wh

OF -NATIONAL TRIALS. \ii

• ver may be uttered by the lips, there is frequently an expectation
of success from the merit of the petitioner or his cause.

IthIohI, it is not uncommon to hear, in christian lauds, such ex-
pressions as these : " God tciil help, God is obliged to intervene for
vis, for it is Hit cause, it is the cause of right and truth."'

This is -not the language of true Christianity j for wc have no right
to claim the aid of the Deity in anything, but what lie has promised
to tavor, and in the way he has appointed. He is pleased to have
u> plead His promises, and He encourages and commands us to do
it ; but He has not bound Himself to grant us success in any world-
ly pursuit whatever, except in labors for our food and clothing.

His covenants are for spiritual ends; and in pursuing these He
ma\ ibta it best to defeat earthly purposes "which we regard as oi
the greatest importance, and strictly just and honorable.

He is the best and the only true Jndge of the propriety or utility '
of any enterprise ; and hence, an essential part of the prayer of faith
is the perfect submission of the will of the petitioner to that of God.
As the kingdom, the power and the glory are His, the prevailing
re:: - v.ment for every petition must be the honor of Jehqvah

— ami in i .'.it He the best Judge of the means which will promote
that end ?

But that common errors on this subject of prayers for peaee in
time* of national trials may be better understood, let an illustration
be borrowed from the political world.

In the Confederate States of America there are many honest-
minded people who think that the present exhausting struggle would
soon he terminated in an honorahle way, if their government woald
sheathe the sword and invite to negotiations.

These worthy people overlook the fact that the existing Govern-
ment of the United States has declared the sword to be the sole ar-
biter of the conest ; and that it is upon this very point of policy that
it puts itself or. the country, and opposes all parties that take a dif-
ferent view.

There arc parties in the United States which believe that the hon-
or and- interests of their country will be best promoted by negotia-
tions with the people against whom they are arrayed in arms: but
the faction which now beholds the purse and wields the sword ol
that nation has solemnly t-taked everything on the issue of arms, de-
< hiring that the only voice which it will hear from those on whom
it it waging cruel and bloody war, shall be that of unconditional
submission to the mercy of the conquerors. ♦

Of what trail, then, let it be kindly asked, are peace meetings in
the '.'• be >tnt*?s ?

18

k'-RTPTDRAI. \ IMVh

With whom could eomn d negotiations 1 What could

tbev offer that would be ai

• •• w:-.r bav lly au-i plainly published tin

influenot rant an bonoi

peace to the assailed — and that is to be defeated in al! their persi.«-
tent efbl • te the country.

. who attei d the peace n oc tings are mostly loyal eitisens,
lated by • ■!•}■ motive*; their end i> the desire of all.

).ut they :i-k for it in a way thi Likely only to prolong th

. until there is. h change of rulers and of policy in the United

Now. while it i* bl to compare God with any treatare,

wc mav illustrate the position of mortals towmrda Him by facts in

human affairs: and in the meetings held in the Confederate States
to terminate th*1 trouble- •■( the country, we behold the character of
many well-intended but Unavailing prayers for the same desirable

;lt

has inlled lor war to accomplish special ends, and we ask

Him to give a peace without reference to Ilis designs : Be has fat*
word and given It to the slaughter, and some of bhoee
erned seem to think the sun st way to have it returned to the
■ abbard is to appeal to the Almighty to forego the purposes which
the honor of His Majesty requires Him to accomplish ! Let us not
be deceived i a mere prayer for peace, predicated only on the trial?
or merits of the sufferer, is such an appeal.

Whoever or whatever is the instrument of a people's troubles,

u the Author: and lb sands wars to- admonish and reform the

national or to destroy them.

; eople of the Confederate Slates have suffered many cmel
the hand of a remorseless human foe; but all their trial?
Grod for sin, and they axe merciful admonitions to re-
r. formation.
ftsjl fci purposes an peiimitting these calamities: are those pur-
poses fulfilled ? Was His object merely to inflict a certain amount
lfferinp without any reference to moral results? Any such sup-
position in dishonoring to the Hivinc Economy, and not to be tol-
erated for a moment.

Arc Hi- 'lols ar. oniplishcil I arc ire ready to concede them '( •
||. eommands us te pray to Him in time of trouble ; but wc must ■
j-k for deliverance not for our sakes but for His, and this we can
|>nt honestly do without wishing bo be made willing to perform Hi*
fightBouc will.

Oil

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. ^

When His honor is vindicated, Ho will deliver-and Hi, name is
globed .hen tho* Whom He afflicts are ready »*~*j* £
Justice and their own .inland to be turned it. the W>* tfcat

1 1 1 T* P C t S

He tells ti. fie make peac «WS Him, and We shall have peace j
and He has plainly indicated the terms on vhich His ««^
with any people shall have an end.

Wher >He makes war, He publishes the e.mlitions on which li
shall end ; He has sent all His prophets, as ambassadors to ;he na-
tions, and in His Word! is :, widely disseminated proclamation thai
all can understand

He either has control of the America Crisis, or He has not—ii
He has not, why pi ay to Him for peace ? If He has, why nofhonor
His power and His justice in a way to secure His favor'.'

The. prayer to Him for peace is an admission that He can end the
••uflict— anil this'adu.ission makes Him responsible for all the ca-
lamities of the strife.

There is no escape from these conclusions; and then let. it be
asked, have these trials been undeserved by those who have suffered
theTn? \{ they have not been merited, the sufferers have no assur-
ance that their petitions will be heeded by a Being who afflicts with-
out reason j if they have been deserved, then it is- folly to aspect
their discontinuance without a removal of the cause. Who* can
stumble over propositions so obvious?

Let us not mock God : if He -cannot stay the fiery deluge that
sweeps over the land, our cries to Him are a waste of breath — if He
can, He will do it only en Mis own conditions.

When any of the inhabitants of tho Confederate States go, in their
simplicity, to the earthly sovereign of the earthly instruments of
their sufferings, he tolls them they can have peace on absolute sub-
mission to him ; if we approach the Almighty Disposer as the real
Author of the convulsion, do wo expect Him to be less exacting,
less tenacious of His purposes than a proud, mortal tyrant/ The
devoted people of the Confederacy can soon terminate all their trials
by unconditional submission to God or to the President of the Uni-
ted States : to whom will they yield ? One offers the peace of death,
deliverance from his wrath with the loss of honor, liberty,, rij
and property : the o the i proposal independence oi thftUniti
and of the world, on condition that the country is nrht willing to be
freed from the boodag

The Divi . ns to prevent ulti-

uint- r and subjugation ; and to be delivered from

tqumnus vnwa

vith the cause remaining, ia Kke r,:e conduct of a
tek ohild whose chiefdesiri I from the distasteful

amediei with which its loving parent would life

: beholds in those whom Ha ehastena something more to be
than the itrokei of Hi- rod j si 1 if He has taken a people
•n hand to heal their mom! itb rain and sinful to ask

Him • until Hit en <1 ia accomplished

Tin time and Buffering necessary t<> this will depend on the pa-
Ives; then is u appointed way by which they may be
■ I, and it is made plain to the dimmest vision.
rod i* immutable, and prayera will at I change Hia purposes —
!l alls on all to invok< His mercy and aid with the sol-
:md emphatic assurance thai they ahull uol be disappointed.
. ean these two thinga be ree >noiled together?
Tf a person is in a boat on the water, and holds in his hands OUl
'•able, with *ho other fastened to the shore, he can bring
.-elf to land : he cannot pull the earth from its place, but his ef-

ible will drive his boat to the beach*.
And thus it is with the prayers of those who rightly honor <i id
(heir faith takes hold of the immovable throne of Jehovah, and thej
• re brought within the pale of His covenanted mercies.

There is a fixed channel for Hia grace, always Mire ; and errinj;
lortals, who would be saved from His justice, have only to throw
themselves in this.

But what, it may be asked, is an afflicted nation to do U> entitle
If to the favor aud protection of God ? How will it find the
< hannel of His mercies ?

This whole work is int .:: answer to this qucstiou ; bnt

ii the meantime, the sum of the matter may be briefly stated here.

The people must, pray for peace ; but they must, in their hearts,

•nd with their voices, glorify Clod by acknowledging hia power,

gooemi - and justice. -

To do 'In- ia to recognize the Almighty as she Author of their
confess the righteousness of His proceedings, because
the sufferers hare sinned agsinsl Him : and to he ready to see wherein
that they have offended, and to amend their ways.

is 'he prayer that will prevail : and when the Deity ia thm?
ring people, then, and not till then, will their
light break forth as the morning

The length and number of prayers amount to nothing: it is n«t
for their repetitions thai the people are heard, but for their submit-
mob, humility, contrition aud faith.

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 103

PAOOHS AND ILH STRAT10XS.

The reader is referred to the prayers of Daniel, E«ra and Nehe
miah, quoted in other parts of this work, and to the remarks made-
upott them.

Other inspired petitions are recorded in tho Sacred Oracles for
the instruction of after timesy ;md to some of these attention is uow
directed. In Is. Ixiv. i3 a prayer of the Church in which occurs the
sentence. > v. .">,; u Beheld, Thou art wroth, for we have sinned " —
:irjd again (vs. <> >tnd 7,) it is said, "But wc are all as an unclean
?i,:ng, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do
fads as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
And f/tere is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up him-
lelf to take hold of Thee, for Thou hast hid thy face from us, and
hast consumed us because of our iniquities.''

It cannot be doubted from other testimonies of the prophets that
the people did pray in a certain sense, in the times of their calami-
ty, and freely use the name of God; but these were not accept
petitioners, because they had not etirrcd themselves up to take hold
of Jehovah's mercies in the appointed way.

The Almighty precisely describes the true state of things Himself
in Jeremiah viii 6, '* I hearkened and heard, but they spake not
.lit: no man repeated him of hi? wickedness, saying, What have
I done ?»

Moses informed the Jews that every fate which awaited them
v.ould come from God as the reward of their couduct; and he di-
rects them how to pray successfully for deliverance in time of troub-
le. " If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their
4'athers, with their trespass which they have trespassed against Me, '
nnd that, also, they have walked contrary unto Me : and that I, also.
have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them -into the
land of their enemies." — (Lev. xxvi. 40-41.)

Here God Himself expressly defines the kind of prayer from an
"afflicted people which He will graciously answer .-

Fijfsr, It must confess that the sin of the sufferer baa caused bis
trials —

Secomi! v, That God was the Author of the afflictions—

THIRDLY, That He had caused them in justice
V. :i in Deut. iv. £9-81j Moses informs his people 'now to call
upon (J '-id in time of trouble.

i thence thou shalt seek the Lord thv God, thou
»lialt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart, and with all thy

'Mil.

1 1(2 . SCRIPTURAL VIKW-

ID tlum art in tribulation, and all these things aro come upon
thee, frtn in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and
•hall be obedient unto hi- voice;

•': Lord thy God t's a merciful God ;) he will not forsake
thee, neither destroy thee, nor forgot the covenant of thy t.ithersv
| i -'..arc unto them."

.«• prayer of Solomon, at the dedication of the Temple, tin
1 all others arc taught the same doctrine in th< follow--

j words s

"Whett thy people Israel he smitten down before the enemy, he-
v have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee,
. and pray, and make supplication unto •

: .

Then hear thou in heaven, aud forgive the sin of thy people la*

bring then) again unto the land which thou gave.-; unto

- 1 King* viii. 'Vl-'S-i.)

b xxxiii. 27-30, it is said, "He looketh upon men, and if

. 1 have sin I perverted that which u-as right, and it

profited me not :

i! deliver his *oul from going into the pit, and his life shall

the light.

Lo, all these thi'iyx workcth God oftentimes with man,
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the
' the living."

re, also, taught in Proverbs xxviii. 13, that '' lie thai; cot-
mi- shall not prosper.: but whoso confeaaeth and foraaketb
thcth shall have mercy."

[:i Jeremiah xzii. 9, God says of II is people when He Ls ready to
upon them, " They shall come with weeping, and
with supplications will I lead them."

. also, other inspired teachings : " For thou desire.-t not sac-
rifioe; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God arb a broken spirit : a broken aud a contrite
heart, Q God, thou wilt not despise." — (P*. li. 1G-17.)

rfThus Baith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth u
where is the house that ye build unto me ? and where
s of my i

'hingx hath mine hand made, and all those thiny*

be Lord : but to this man will I look, even to him

thai ' 'a contrite spirit, and tremblcth at my word." —

, c'k f«ake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise

• I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off." — (/«. xlviii. {J.)

OF NATIONAL TRIALS 108

" Therefore also no*w, saith the Lord, turn jc even to me with all
jour heart and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning ;
And rend your heart, and not your»garmcnts, and turn unto the
Lord your God : for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and
of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." — (.Tool ii. 12— 13. >
" Wherewith shall I come before- the Lord, and bow myself be-
fore the high God? shall I conic before him with burnt offering;-,
with calves of a year old ?

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, >>,- wit! ;. i
thousands of rivers of oil 1 shall I give my firstborn for my trans-
gression, the fruit of my body/Jw the sin of my soul ?

He hath shewed thee, 0 man., what is good ; and what doth tbe
Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and
walk humbly with thy God ?

The Lord's voice cricth unto the city, and the ///an of wisdom

shall see thy name : hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.*'

Mioak vi. 6-9,)
" And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in them-
selves that they were righteous, and despised others :

Two men went up into the temple to pray ; the one a Pharisee,
and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that. I am not as other men arc, extortioners, unjust, adulter-
ers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, J give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as
his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breastx saying, God bo mer-
ciful to me a sinner.

1 tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than
the other : 'for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased ; and
he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." — (Luke xviii. 9—1-4.

" I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting." — (1 Tim. ii. 8.)

" Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodif*
washed with pure water." — (Heb. x. 'I'l. \

" If we say th^t we have no sin, wc deceive ourselves, and I
truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and in-t feo forgive u o
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteonsn.--.

If we fay that wc have not sinned, we make him ■ liar, and l
word is not in us." — (1 John i. 8-10.)

I tnltitude of your i untt

i :!i the L^rd \ I am full tf '1 e 1 ur I • fferings of ratus, si

. :u:d I delight not in the* blood > f bullock
Uml

■l come to a] p<-ai , wlu. lath required this .•'.

) hand, to tread my COU

• \du clean : put away tin- eii! of yout ioinga

•■ mine • - il ;

.1" well ; seek judgment, relieve t i-i <? oppressed, j
itharlese, plead for the widow.
• Gome no w, and let m reason together, with the Lord: tl
jour sin* be as scarlet, they >lcil 1 be as white at a ; though tl.< •,
be red like orimsen, they ahall be aa pro d." — (/». i 11, 12, hi- iv.
ith the Lord of hosts, the tb^l of [arael ; Tut your burnt
ring* unto your sscE&fioes, and eat flesh.

Lor I spake nut unto jour fathers, nor commanded thorn in the*
■ ay that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burn!
ofTei acrificea ;

thin thing commanded 1 them, .saying, Obey my reiee, and 1

will be your God, and ye ahall be my people: and walk y<: in all

h* ways that I bare commanded you, that it amy be well unto

" - Jrr vii 2 1 —J
" lie that turneth nwu> hi- mr from bearing tbe law, even bis

•r thall />c abomination." — (J'mv xxviii. i>. |
'• Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings. I
nil] not accept them .- neither will I regard leal peace offerings of

JO«r fat .bca.sts

Take thou away from m© the Boise "1 thj SOngl : far I will DM

U tin; melody of thy viola.

Hut let judgment run down us waters, and righteousness .-..' a
ty .stream." — [.'tm<>f< v. '1'1-ZA.)

•• I Jut go ye and learu what that menneth, 1 will haTe mercy, and
not seerinos . lor 1 am not OOSBKJ to cull the righteou*. but sinner*

pentenoe." — {Mat. ii. 18. •

" And Samuel .said, Hath the Lord m great delight in burnt :-
feringa and sacrifices, aa in ol eying the voice of the Lord? Behold,
iter than .sacrifice, atu/ to hearken than the fat of rams.''
— (1 S'lm. xv. 82,

" I will net ri prove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings,
to /'<itf been continually before me.

I will take no bullock out of thy house, a>r ho gouta out of thy
feldi

OF NATIONAL TRIAL*

For every beast of the forest r'* mine, and t^e cattle upon a thou
snd hills. '

I know all the fowlfl of the mountains ; mid the wild beasts of thy
field are mine. .

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee : for the world is mine,
and the fulness thereof.

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, OT drink the blood of goats ?

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy tows unto the Most

h :
And call upon me in the daj of trouble: I will deliver the
thou ehalt glorify me." — (Ps. L. 8-15.)

"If T regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear » ."" —
[P* kvi. IS.)

" Ibst thou utterly rejected Judah J hath thy soul loathed Zion ?
why hast thon smitten us, and there it no healing for us? we looked
for peace^ and there is no" good 5 and for the time of healing, and
behold trouble ! •

We acknowledge, 0 Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of
our (V' • ^ for we have sinned against thee.

Do iio„ aiihor us, for thy name's sake ; do not disgrace the throne
of thy glory : remember, break not thy covenant with us." — (.A
xiv. 19-ei.) -

" "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save •
neither his ear heavy, that it cannct hear :

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." —
{Is. iix. 1-2.)

lt Who u he that saith, and if. oometh to pas!, iclim the Lord com-
mandeth it not ?

Out of the mouth of the Most High proeeedeth not evil and good?
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punish-
ment of his sins ?

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."
-—{Law. iii. 87-41.)

" When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble ? and
when he hideth hi* face who then can behold him ? whether it be
■Iciir against a nation, or against a man only :

Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement,
I will not off«nd any more :

Thai ic/ucli 1 see not teach thon me : if I have done iniqiity, 1
will do do more." — (Job xxxiv. 2«», 31-32.)

14

SCRI-PT CHAI. V 1 E ffS

O F

I

TONAL. TR1

PART IX-

REGOr^G DO rEINl

•,, : Hi
CES OF A

C H A f T K I 1 I .

nary of Bod

7V dy staled and p

iias been seen,
Fjrst. That, according to the Scriptui. aighty, ruling

every where by His own direct power, and that nothing ck
without His express pernrission.

Omnipotent JBeing ii y holy, ..

batj therefore, the cause for every affliction
ofHi • their .' lation of His right-

I

led in timo for their uu-

. dieted, in any way, b*

* . " ilic instrumentality ©i

or swttrd oi ilic Almighty.

in its issue with a nation-
means fo
whenever wara bring affliction, what-

«ents of God for sin.

108 tubal' vskvri

0L1 Tl in tin

lealing mercifully correction of exy

v otkerwii bat tl 1 1 ;- with the suf-

fering j ■ a r t y in (!. o deliver it from the rod

h which it i> - in f ' old this

rrnvi Thai :i 1 oniparat i • by

the instrumentality of a moro wi< Iced nation : Mid that a right*

! may thus u«e ■ power of the Jatter kin<l to i

! good audi while ilt motives arc unjust and cruel
and while these motives are ripening it for future rengean
• nthi.v. That whatever the comparative merits of a nation —
whatever it- position, motivei and Attitude towards the other
:' the world, it's afflictions, in <///o<v r, arc Divinely bent,
I are a solemn admonition from God Himself of the m
of r> pentance toward Sim : and while i* i- oalled on to ass
the applian ea of carnal wisdom for odtfr

the Economy of God, justined and required t., ose Mieh human
ins, and t<i repel arms with arms, its final BUCC < liv-

srance must depend on ita reconciliation to the favor of Him
who smites it.
■ rHLY. That when a nation i» assailed l>y another tern]
power it Las two issues to settle — one with its earthly enemy.

i one with offended Deity • i ■! 'hat as all its calami
Divinely permitted, no amount- of unjust, wicked or crmtl
wrongs at the hands of its earthly foe will ever render it more
dear to GK>d. In all eases the issue with Heaven must be
tied on the terms which the Supreme Arhiter ha- fixed for the

ieliveranoe of those whom He chastens; and the offence of the
sufferers towards Him being a Axed and constant quantity]
mitigated or atoned for by their afflictions unless these are a
if effecting a. ohange of disposition ami action toward?
the Divine Author of the calamities.

■ ^derations do not effect the motives ami conduct of

a iman agents whom God uses as the instruments of His cor-

thcse will be judged according to real character, and will
let with a righteous retribution.

OF NATIONAL TRIALS, 1 09

CHAPTER II.

General OMigmtions.

The conditions, efforts and prospects of the Confederate States, us
viewed from a worldly stand-point, were briefly but truly presented
in the first ten Chapters of the first Part of this work.

The country is engaged in a fierce and cruel war : it Stands on the
defensive, asking only to be let alone, and its assailants openly avow
their intention to exterminate its inhabitants or reduce them to
slavery-

The war has swelled to unexampled proportions, and is accompan-
ied with atrocities without a parallel in political contests; and the
lesailing power, great in numbers, in wealth, and in mechanical ap-
pliances, has gathered all its resources for a life-and-death grapple,
and staked it own existence on the issue of the struggle.

Et has put forth the most tremendous energies, has resorted to ev-
ery means of injury, and has manifested an inextinguishable hatred ;
and all these efforts and demonstrations have been met with corres-
ponding union and energy in the defending party, and with a cour-
age and determination that are plainly invincible by human power,
Patriotism, political wisdom, military strategy "and ardor, loyalty
and love of country, universal devotion of body and mind, of means
and comfort to one end, have shone illustrious in the conduct of
those who ure fighting only for permission to govern, themselves in
their own way.

Still the horrors of a ruthless war rage through all the borders of

the assailed nation ; death is still offered as the result of opposition

the will of the assailants, and peace on terms' worse than death.

• t the struggle an anamoly in the history of the world? The

lanta are destroying their own liberties and wasting their own

urcea in apart -oy those who wish to live in peace and on

equality with them ; the defenders, by their cause, their

a, thei&ititrepidity, ought, on mere princi-

;' , to have gained tl

v one, before this struggle, would have believed that such
u mi endui b courage and devotion, would ;

ured : any ,

ixempt ion from fu bs iga-

oaee j vietor; 'ollo-vAid

Ill) R «.l. YIKW-

of wind i and

in-
fury.

:ok#

ish li] the

; -think

iff ■■

ulta

re-
. which il
I

,
;

which

. alJj aud properly

ible justfc

. full com] hiiu

edies-

fill the

: iubt if th' ; ■ 10-

i no *' son

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 11]

For this reason, if for no other, the Scriptural views presented in
this work are absolutely essential to the relief of all right-minded
spectators of such scenes as those which now fill nearly half the
world with morning ; hut these Divinely revealed solutions of the
mystery of time afford another and still greater eonsiderat.
triots and philanthropists situated- like those in the Cortfede
States pf America.

They bring to light the glorious facts that there is not only j;

cause in the devoted nation for its trials, but, al$( . ( ;lD(j

orahle mode of deliverance : and that the Almighty Power

which wields the rod of chastening says with every stroke, "I have

no pleasure' in the death' of the wicked turn ye, turn ye from

your evil ways, for why will ye die'/" — Ezekiel, xxxiii, 11.

' more can be asked 1 what more can be expected or wished ?

Could the Saviour of his country and the friend of justice and
truth desire more than is revealed concerning the origin of his peo-
ple's afflictions, and the manner and time of escape from all their
dangers and sufferings 1

This is the sum of the whole matter: the nation is smitten by ;;
righteous God for its offences towards Him, and is solemnly admon-
ished to repent : if it humbles itself under the mighty Hand which
d turns from all its errors, it will be saved. The Justice
that is offended can be appeased :.the Power which has raised and
which directs this fearful storm, is ever read}' to say to the elenx
" Peace, be still !"

The method of deliverance is easy, practicable and honorable,
and it has been indicated in the statement and discusnion of the
principles which account for these national trials.

The people concerned have but to make a faithful application to
.then the Truths of Scripture before referred to ; and

they may be the better enabled to do so,thc writer proposes to make
suggestions as to the duties of the different classes of Society.

From henceforth he will speak to his countrymen in the first per-
.son — and his constant prayer is that they may receive what he says
in the spirit in whieh it is uttered.

I' •r^ueiKC to us to enquire why others, more guilty

in our estimation, are not also brought to the bar of Judgement :
" The secret things belong unto the Lord our God ; but those fh
which arc revealed Lclong unto us, and to out children forever, that
'«?«aay do all the words of this law."— Deut. xxix, 29.

It is not for us to snatch from the Almighty's Hand

I Yl 1. ' VIEWS

•■ '!' a and the rod,

\\' ;hc God of Go 1. '

out OWB aOOOUHtS With Heaven :

- litor and debtor.

inl tli-.- tneetagc bo us is
u Therefore amend jour ways and your doinj ••h«y the voire

..f t '■ iur God."' — ; . t8.

harden bur n mir ireeks Pot d<

. Irst of all, aekm . ir afflictions -are oi

;. as almightj I d sins ; and while

wrongs and threats of our hum., lariea will only bract

sinews of our souls to a more h< • ;. them,

humble our hearts before B -s the justice of its dealin_«-

ana Bubl Seek its gmid ■ ■ \ c r our offence?, and its

help to fprsake tht

That W« maj all engage the mure earnestly and wisely in the
work to which the lessons of t!- i tuld lead us, tion#

will now be offered as to the obligations of each class inJ of %\
individual member of Society ; and to the consideration of tl
the aseoe4ding chapters of this part of the work will be deroti d
luties of the Chur ody, will first be discussed,

next the responsibilities of each individual christian— and finallj
rr^ will briefly consider what God now rtquires of all the oiemlier1
of the community whether they be professing christians or not. ■

The writer, as already intimated, will speak in the first pe
and he will offer no other cicuic than the importance of his subject
for the plain manner in which he will address the people of an af-
bed land. This land is thi place of bis birth, a«d it holds the
of his ancestors; it is dearer to him than any other abode of
man ;lli ;iu", and it u taut desire of his soul i-

eajoying that independence, peace, and prosperity which will flow
alone from the furor of EitD to wh im the shield? of the earth be-
long.

Or NATIONAL TRIALS. '113

C I I V PI KM, III.

Special obligatims : Ditties of the Church.

The firet duty of the Church in this great crisis is to impress on
the public mind tha fact that Q-od reigns, [n Mahommedau coun-
3 there -are stationed in the minarets of &1 ousts

of worship public criers called muezzin, who:-e duty it is to announce
the hours for religious devotions; and at stated intervals, day and
night, from year to yoke their deep, solemn voices are heard high
alio • >ar above the confused din of the streets below, proclaiming
■■ God is great, God is great-^-come to prayer !"

There is something in this custom peculiarly suggestive; and in

this as in many other1 things the Eternal Mind hafe inspired the vo-

tarie* of lalso systems to adopt habits which testifjj against' their

"own delusions, and which rebuke the corruptions, perversions and

prael the professing christian world.

The Uhurtsh of G id ought to be, in a spiritual sense, elevated, like
e muezzins, above the cares and pursuits of the carnal world :
it ought to stand perpetually on the unclouded heights of rev€aled
Truth, and to cause the toiling mjllions in the dust and smoke be-
low to hour continually the Counsel of God in all that concerns their
temporal and eternal interest?".

From itr< position, its vision can sweep the whole horizon, whilo
the eyes of the busy actors in the streets, and shops and fields below ,
can range over but s narrow scope ; and it is able, also, to survey the
whole contour and every side of events that rise up like mountains
before the dwellers on* the earth, exposing but a section to tbe\iew
<>f each, and causing among those who behold different and opposite
fractions of their surface, diverse and hostile opinions as to their
■ hara< fer, origin and connections. When tie Church descends from
e summits of perpetual day to the level of the world below, it
itself in the errors of the nations; and the people, like travel-
lers in the gorges of unexplored mountain ranges, wind along paths
that lead them round to their starting point, and follow opening*
that turn in all directions, and end in impassable barriers.

The watch-tower of the christian is lifted high above every eleva-
tion of the earth, above all the mists and clouds that roll their ob-
juring and ujany-eolored masses through its dense air ; and behold-
ing all the shifting phases aud cventualtics of life through the ccr-

15

1 14 KOTOfeAL mW(

I clear HgTrt <>T unchanging troth, he h enabled '• in.-'--

•i his fellow-men in all the affair- t'u '

of painful mystery.

deluge of burning lava down the
moontaiif sides, or the storm bursts in fury over the plains, be
Ieboi bare the fires* were kindled,, the turn*

! clouds where the tornado was born : and more tli*n this, he
i direction je, he beholds tl that hnrli

;ind he 1 • in streets it <>n its mission, and | r< scribe*

rh> of its work of deatli.

And should be ne his proper place, and look and lister

and cry to his people, and tell them what has befallen them, and
whence it comes, i the plague may lie stayed !

God nut only • ' rets to lli« prophets, bat He anthor-

oottmands the christians to make them known to his fellow
: and what shift be thought of the wetenmen who baa seen i
plague eommissisi id, and heard it.- cbarg s, and who

■n rages his trusting and devi otrymea to feat no evil? "

The storm of a fierce and bloody war of aggression has rjs

the people of the Confederate States ■ and the voice <■• reh

should he heard above all the t'urv of the elements proclaiming un-
ingly that this is the work of God.

not sufficient at such a tin..- merely to state I
dogma, the Sovereignty ef the Almighty Ruler: it
enough to enter as saving chimes, in general | the doctrine

1 i ' almightincss, and then devote tlie whole volume of it

1 ingfl <o the Sxsltatioa of secondary causes; This grand fa.
nol to be brought on the itsge, for the sake ef ovtln.dr- jtj and then
stumer ! wo cannot say that our pletur< l mere-

ly 1 liavc-giwn a place in it to e\erv tact, when the mCSl

Important one i ■ i ! Bbaded off as barely to I - M ■ ■• or is a mere or-
namental margin to those which are its incidents.

\\ e are not by biir «t>rds, or actioijroj aireiee: to have it r
int, rred that the Deity ia aupTeme, and ftherefew, lias some v.,
undefined and inscrutable connections with our calamities; nor to

ar suffering countrymen with the idea that B I
reigns, and that lie will in the end overcome adverse circ
e origin is not to be understood.

the CnnrOh should stand upon its watch and make itae fact of
-tain and supreme Providence the central idea in all its
rteacbingl : Aonid Botve, resolve, and apply every event by this eter-
nal trntn; and ahofcld be the more laborious, incessant and earncsT

■

OF iNATIONAL TRIALS. H5

in this matter ju»t as the people arc the more inclined* to give un-
due prominence to secondary cause*,

\1 not be afraid of offending the pride or wounding the
self-esteem of man : and when the righteousness of the creature and
• the most jealous attribute of the Creator are in conflict, the messen-
gers of Jehovah must be the more fearless and intrant in maintain-
ing the honor of their Divine Master.

They should teach that all wars arc God's wars ; that this N
atlpti '- : work, His spot-ial work, aud that this wicked enemy
ott we abhor, is His sword.

We b proper place to this doctrine by faithful -and

nointcd: i.alillustratiousaud applications: should hinge upon

her teachings, and traoe it to all its consequences, how-
lui to our carnal natures. We should refer to it all the
circumstances of our position ; and we should allow no idea or
,.r I intervene between it aud'the popular mind, to hide it

for an instant, or to dwarf it.- just proportions.

Let these general remarks be illustrated by a few practical
gesti * -

Tb« present; war, in Its magnitude, continuance tfd
unexpected by our people:
It i less the certain act of Him whom the Psalmist thus

a,i,; heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for

He fulness thereof thou hast founded them. The

north and the south thou hast created them " — ( i's.lxxxix. H 1 ■• \

not taken bj surprise, if the people were; aud'tbqugh
sii ; stations i ,.,.iiued, there has been no uncer

bunsels. Whatever course tue

ler the immediate control of the U-

■• the Church ought to teach, being exceedingly

iat the popular mind does not practically- if

the Deity something of the agitatioe

Which it ft affected bvuncx
ed *trc"

Oofflinumties in passing f, national,. .

:'""1 "" -and this is tho

,: "rt ""' j Brmitted (o infer that the princi

} «re so defective as i0 render
«: the cause, troubles is uel „»

rGod to place between

116 VIKWS

ial» and nations are called to higher
rials in ■ prove tl

. -
more elevated position wl

heir mon
•lth.
Thirdly When b the instri

f unj that t be mo-

hut
the carnal mind, unwilling to 1 - t f< , :blc,

••■.:. 1 at f- • r 1 1 1 *- | • or-

■
It i? apt I

ju.-t, the ; unlisted on its side ^»d is

warring tor it ; and tb willing to attribute every la-

tum inits > the in-te of Heaven, it reoeivea

rev' ysterious ui ted for by hu-

reaaon.
Thia tendency of a people si t'uated lil • Confederate

I be opposed wUh^vigilarice and care; tbis ia a vital
I and here there Lb daJ breacb,through which the arch

will come like a flood.
All men I often rendered uv

but when a nal
wronge ;-.t the hand.- of a temporal j >wer, timid and wi berj

nf the Church are afraid that a i ij.hful declaration of the wi

I if God will offend tl of the time:, and

Hum on the eh: isl j re disposed in tl

. udi.pt a met! ' spernioious — and that

wink at mural delusions why •!. BCem to have a powerful hold oil

I , ' influei ce of the i

N.. j . ni mi i ty bo well inetuoted

leracy, will openly avow the pagan ■
brin t God is lighting in tin with the pat

infirmities of mortals ; but there will be some •bearing the obriB-
theii lings whi< -h Lead to

lu
When an inti Lii ing orach s indulge a in bl

' •i... v :' idea that God is fighting for us, be

may mean that 1! •• oing us for our g< it so

i lerstood ; m%he contrary the prejudices of the carnal heart re-

• veluch language in its literal import, and are. leas inclined 'than

oy/»r <<• heed the solemn admonitions of Providence.

OF NATU'NAl. Till 11.8. ']]','

\ iu : an ungarded use of po >ular terms by the Church maj con-
the worldly element ofSociefcy in the. errov that the interest of
Lty in a national, conflict is limited tot! lea which absorb

the minds of the mortals conc^rne'd : and thai '■. \lmighty Di?.
penser takes pari in the conflict solely for the sake of the temporal
e which the parties interested regard aa its o.rigin and, end.
The- principles already discussed .
eriplural ; and every on»e with right apprehensions of the attri-
' ntes ni* .T cli (i \ a ii knows thai all the r. ■ ms.of but In-

cidents lit lit;- plan of His designs.

Fourthly. A nation situated like that of the Confederate States

ts apt to the importance of "its human - ry as an ele-

oi in its own destiny ; and in doing so it curtaile, in its opinions,

: God. The purpo Almighty are

■ t on tbc favor or the enmity oi" His < ijres ;• and if fie

great peopled* malice of other

hums cs will not be permitted to h ■■ rpos any impediments

ElU will. Proper conceptions of the Divine Disposer lead to

inevitable conclusion that the friendship and hatred of rivals are

under His control ; and hence the. disposition to dwell on human

opposition a.-, the great hindrance ' .■- mr success is a [iractic.il denial

' ef ua ! this important matter hy

various circumstance?

'' Divine Power iftfayorjngthe Gonfed-

and ;••' th are references to the ns-

kind to lead to the iinpressiun * Ln t his designs

•hing beyond the f tujo Providences of

nth !■■: that the attitu -> ' national ene-

• towards u* are tliemseh lings <--i;h us; and

■ that Be is directing our behalf, while

: our overthrow,

• r i b upon us,

n that •■ ( r beyond

•

bed and del"'
nd here :: sighted chriatiama give* an-

permit lhe"ir hu-
tuniiug the chief at-
areatare em my ; and
I

i aaun

rncwi

. rod to be true, at

.ml to its alle-

ts Divii teach, in public

In; Cod permits this war. and
:!■ i- against fe B 1 will bring it to in in-taut

i to lose i deolaring that though •

•■ the war which af-
i ,, • :,. : to ther belief is to abri

., and in Eaol to have other gods before Ilim.
hate violations of the Aral Commando i

the Church to stand in the breach
• utc ut its Almighty II
inportanoe of tbia wh< '<■ subject and the Lamentably louse
manner in which \ . deal with it ean be I

» an i luftration : and Let the Cbnreh solemnly ponder tht
.

. hear that Cod ifl fighting for U — but this assurai.

ion for hoping for the oertai . of

,,UI- oOUfl try"s Struggle ■* Mj -'iod.

.-. ith this fact we have witnessed, from the first, on I

the. armed intervention of certain great European PoWOfS

in oar behalf — w*d thi d on the firm and onive

,, i [on that the nation.- in question oould immediately o

. aemj and dii\e him from hi- pui ;

, fac Lie side by aide 1" Fore at every day ; and wl

, i hat the favor of temporal p acre to

desired than that of Hoaveu: then- unequivocal Lang

1 in a lew week.- wliat it m r, rebuilt (a id

to have to is rite, such word.- —

,i the Divine 1 Li ei U* aid,pi

ai land
be * hureh ' idded to our

. fil ■ ..:. : norn. |

| .•; mitt* times to cany us

ie i i ositive a point of

to ring their
rough our souls, an *e us to dj and

at the first and the chi truth aud

d •

LOU !-halt hare DC othei gods before me."

OF NATIONAL TRIALS.

CHAPTfi It I "V" .

Special Obligations Duties of the Church, continued.

The Church of God is a witness on earth for His truth, and must
hot be deterred by any possible state of things, from the faithful
utterance of its testimony. The first element of its doctrine is the
absolute and rightful supremacy of its Diviue Head over all create
things : 'he next is the holy attributes of this Almighty Disposer.

The duty of inculcating the first truth in the most practioal and
impressive manner has just been discussed ; and the attention of the
ler is now invited to some suggestions in regard to the obliga-
tions of the Church to teach the last named doctrine above referred

If God be almighty and holy, all uTen are sinners : if any dotal b»
just and offena not in heart or deed, there is a radical and deplora-
ble defect in Divine Economy. The Deity cannot be perfect in
power and justice and wisdom if any of His rational creatures suffer
without an adequate cause in themselves ; and as all men are born
to trouble, all are sinners, or God is not what He claims to be. —
Now, all know that the natural human heart, though having an in-
ward sense of sin, is not inclined to confess its depravity ; and hence,
when unconverted men meet with calamities, unless for crimes de-
nounced by the civil ^authority, or condemned bj the customs of so-
ciety, there is a disposition to reflect on the ways of Providence.

This is especially the case when reverses overtake communii
viduals comparatively good ; and when a whole nation suffers
wr-'ijc at ihe hands of a more offending and cruel power, this ten-
dency to rob God of His rightful dues grows into a formidable but
insidious dnugi r.

. If the sat ion professes faith in the righteousness of the Supreme
Arbiter, i! practically curtails His Sovereignty; aud when, as in the
pre ' ' ease of the Confederate States of Am< rica, the people are in '
the right 'he isfue with their creature adversaries is concern-

ed, they are not li-kely to impeach the justice of the Divine Power.

When a ■• immunity 1- Handing on the defensive, fighting for ex.
istence. and for the dearest temporal interests of humanity, they de.
«ir.' •■ thai there is justjee in ll> . v • . p ;~ - infinite con-

.«olati")i to know, when cruel wrongs are them, that

•can rt Mi . nan

will not

•
■ if t1 whom a pi t re-

lesh is licir •
I • rious

re f age t" a n< f i

■

. ■ I I e irnal ,min :

* in-
fori.

I in . • • '

bib
. a*k only ( i 1'"' lot alone. I- it oot oataral ;'

'•• inoii who '1 with tl

• •' ' I ;; • thresh -1 :

Tfil m I'-

:. people most lik sly to 1 eli
:iLr*. and will rise a] to ;'. i
for Buch reasons that the inhabitants of th<
hare m<-!i a fixed impression thai God is with them : and

I aootjuut they an- in danger of practically dishonoring the Power
in which they bo confidently 'ru.-t.
They are ap( so think thai the Diviui !'• .

stand in the issue with t In- i r huinan enemies; and that as they
are in the right in this rsy, Heaven will contend apon their

side.

If we i • I mi we i. '.iil. feel thai God is the 3iipi

fed, ami uiicnntnillnhii of eventel Do we nol

irail His I '«''■• laim Him as our Leader and Chai

pion whi How whi im me these dis

. id bo preyed! them '. I >oea His
plan of Government ini idcnts,e,nd reverses to the ionooent 7

I •• ■ - Me kill men in time for their good in time I

Such com • the necessity of that duty of the

Church discussed in the preceding chapter t they call upon th% ohris
tian, at Bach times, t<> lift ap his voice perpetually in the solemn ut-
f God's almightinoss. To bo silent in such a trisia i.-> to
conntenance an awful error; and to proclaim the truth in regard to
Jehovah's authority alone ts to leave the people to impeach another
attribute of the Divine ftwrer. [fa nation, situated like our devo*
t«d eountrymen, are faithfully instructed in regard to the iSuprcwta-

0J NATIONAT, ERIAIfi. 121

t\;/ of the Dei; . are in danger of reflecting on His Justice ; for

with their mind entirely fixed on the iniquitous designs of their
human persecutors and absorbed wilh the vi-dication of their own
conduct in this struggb ely to survey all the cir

';un;. ? their position in the eye of Heaven. They consider

their conduct in the Btruggle in which they suffer wrong as defining
their character — whereas tl : «test and all its results are but

riuences of their true* relations with the Divine Buler.

not to be supposed thai 1 will think of this ;■ its vis-

ion is li? '.ted to existing realities, and its judgment of actor.*
is based only and wholly on their conduct in passing sceues. ■

If a people placed in the attitmi if the Confederate

r thoroughly and properly embued with just conceptions of
GrocP- ( pposeless Sovereignty, they will not in heart, at least, wil-
lingly enneede His,perfect righteousness ; and therefore if the Church
has been true to it* mission in regard to the first great Truth of
Revolution, it has laid a foundation on which it must build another
Scripture doctrine, or he n party to -the dishonoring of its almigktv
Hea^.

nitly, and with practical emphasis, the
righ • of God { and this it oannot effectually do except by

teachjng that man is an offender. . .

Thfrf-forr. at this great crisis, it is the solemn obligation of the

christian ettment of Society to proclaim in the ears of the u-hoh

na/i ommitted o fences for which God is correcting if.

Look at the reasons. Calamities have overtaken the country :

either tee honor of man or the honor of God must suffer.

If the nation if itten for its sins, the Divine authority i.«

imperfect in pow< "f Cod is perfect, the people are

chastised for their »

HmrtV; ithhold its testimony

at mii h a time ? i • ,'

In periods of peace and prosperity, the principles of the Divint
Economy in regard to the nations are not so likely to make the de-
ion on those concerned ; hut when the whole 'country
is profoundly agitated with severe trials, men are prepared to hear
" the voice of the day of the Lord/' and to receive and heed the les-
sons which it would solemnly teach. It is the very seed time for the
Truth ; and the , alamitiea of the times wi!l be to the efforts of
faithful laborer ii ineyard as the early and latter rain tc

the wise and djligenl husbandman.

ff • be obje' the preaching of repentance to the

16

122

i '

i« .';-' •■

id it* pnblii servant • who rep-

1 i; is t1 de-

ntin »r \- '■ '

\u

from

it ib Inn saorod a

• tier.

•. be dar

tlu r>j I -•-. thaC the in

Mte of tbc Divine ramuuut

*11 -

i ' ■ •■

g tl.i' Go |

unci

invisible Hand I would

.- ' '"'■irl ' ' '

tfaec ' "'

riptionl .

■ da-; ■■! ri ■ ob<

od deaoktfpn,a Jay of darknen
Md : tbiokdwkoe I vheothi

nouutains smoke witl ' :k-ad with

IhepeopU for tb( 'h ibem a oorenant ©1 life

great and God,

Hi load and dreadful 1
But' isbuttb< i - •

j of tbe individual and

ft) ' '- •

roal heart bj Binki»(

ov , f ;

° |f.e.teem *i forsaking of the

J* ..„!■„:.. mnal trouble lor thoee f bub

■»„n,:,lH-,, exactly tl,c oP1„,He of

•re c , . ,,„. tllc trJ „ fet

^acoward'a effort t >'V tr^chin* broagk

\r wbere

NATIONAL TRIALS. ■ 123

The statesman who braves thq seas and encounters the cold sneer?
and the slanderous pens and tongues of foreign ctmrta to uphold the
honor and secure the interests of his i;at io:i — or who directs the
helm at h .nue, when tin storm rages and darkness covers the face of
the deep, watching when the eyes of those who are cared for arc
elosed in bleep, beholding and avoiding a thousand dangers that
others see nut, gaining no credit when hidden perils arc passed by
the agency of his skill and daring, held responsible for contingencies
that no human wisdom could avoid, calmly, intrepidly and anxious-
ly guiding the ship of state wit'; ;i forgetfulocss of self and all that
copperas it, in the devoted concentration of every thought and pur-
pose to the one object, the safety of the passengers and freight, i.s a-
patriot, and will receive the award of such in history. Mot less pa-
triotic is the course of the poor woman who devotes to the public
defence the strong arm on which she and her little ones trust, u,,der
Ood, for their daily bread — of the fathers, brothers, sister?, moth-
ers, relatives or friends ;it home who ply their minds and bands to
.Jothe or feed the poor, who submit to denials that the world knows
aot of, who watch mid labor, devi/va and pray, without the expecta-
tion or hope of public honors, for the comfort and safety of the ar-
my it) the Seld, atid for the promotion and preservation of the peat
interests of soe iety at home.

And the soldier who tears. himself, at his country's call, from.
weeping wife and children, committing to the care of God his d«.
pendent ones, and going forth to meet hardline in the camp and
death on the battle-held, and to SI I an unknown and remote grave,
without even a rudely carved memorial to preserve a name which
can have no illustrious place in the annals of the gnat, he is a pa-
triot, a patriot who meets danger for his country, and who*; fense
of duty is. of that character which entitles him to the appellation of
> ruly brave.

all patriots, and worthy of the honor attached k) the
name; hut there is another class win. ean serve their country more
effectually thm any of these, and whose rewards in time are the lca0»
*fall The-e are the ' ra of the glorioue gospel ,,f (he I

■indicated and set apart to minister in
Divine things and who ere the expounders of that Truth fthich it
the light uf the world, and the life of nations, as well as »f individ-
uals. Tbej are soldiers af well as those who follow the xt.n.hm.'s of
the Uuipm-.;! puwer: they have to endure hardships,- ti * »er

peri!-, to war with enemies vigilant, enterprising and cruel, 'i heir
'u' feTJ ■ tllc 'ugliest, purest aud noblest patriot

I

:ire

I • r their country.

[will ' own

■

duty
a) tlifir high plac I to

. sum-ring countrj i I just, and that

then

rotoe of their

I •■.pic with their e: I entreati

ei ter into

to hear th< a of

ir private cmver-

D al -I tin ir public ' ' <-ir manner.-, and B ' ould

all speak the languagi uate, ir and
,. ;■. roing

Wh( 'i ;' 3 -Mini in the pul] it, it i nder i

lc to the Presid r to his

. our ministers to

! with the defence of our b<

ore tbe nations.

Tin-, speak totl I'Ctweeh God and tl ry — in

of their spiritual vocation they are to imitate the ox-

sflsbles of Daniel, I iah and other holy and "ien

Id, and tiki I1 the creature enemy only as the

pward of an offend I the people t ta of

and
.»f t ' II.- ven in their o I to an hum-

■! reform

A» already shown, ra euEQtrntita this action

AT II!!IH ir .i> WHAT OTRBB ' V.TION c.\fi THEY

i TO Tills':'
'/'/<( ifii/'ti/ <>f the nation d'-mnvtl; ttteh tirh'mi i>/ thpm — and Qii$
, ,.//./ ncr i ,ii be t' ■ tin tnir patriotism of the christian

H*mint of mQCJetlf.

<...(1 not only doea not forbid a devotion to the authority and in-

.■I country, hut He exacts of Htt servants to he

Ireland beil patriots of ell. H i light by which

'o distinguish tin- right path t" national Bafety and greatness; und

Of NATIONAL TRIALS. 125

he requires them to stand in the ways, at every hazard, and exert
every influence to induce the people to follow them.

Aud now, dear christian brethren, permit me to address you in
r.bo language of earnest and honest affection, appealing to you by
common duties, common ties, and common sympathies, emotion'!
and interests.

Are not the principles of the Divine Economy towards nations,
as herein set forth, in accordance with that Infallible Word which
wv receive as the source and standard of all moral truth ?

Is not our God an almighty God, a universal Sovereign, the King
of kings and Lord of lords? Can a sparrow fall to the ground with-
out His permission ? Can a great nation bleed at every pore with-
out His cxprtss authority ? Is H« not perfectly just and- holy in
.-ill that He does and permits?

Does not our beloved aud devoted country feel the hand of afflio-
tion laid lieavily upon it?

Leaving to the worldly element of society to discuss secondary
causes and results* ours is the mission to look into the true relation*
■ >l" things, and to make known to our dear countrymen the source
and remedy of our trials us they are found in the fixed course of
Divine Providence. The people expect us to lead them aright in
t.hese things — and wo have in the sacred Word and the Jearumg of
>>ur ministry the means of doing it.

Is nut God in controversy with us ? If so, can we succeed until
wc place ourselves right before the supreme Power? A\i> if imikse
position uv. TtiuK, ouafrr not the people to know it? It' there
is a difficulty in our relatione with the Highest Court, with the
prime sou fee of all power, ought not this to be first adjusted ? Ij
this matter secondary in importance to any other?

You well know, dear christian brethren, that every answer to
these positions is a barrier of loose sand raised up against the resist-
less sweep 01 God's almighty truth ; and you know that e\ay veil
hung before this truth is a sin against Jehovah, and treason to the

nati

The answer about the honor of the nation has been already con-
sidered ; and it may be added that a people's highest honor is to
lion

:• hu until ■ rc^Hitn does not humble us before our 1m-

ntan antagonists ; and so far from giving them comfort, they will
gnash in unavailing fury when they sec us placing ourselves in the
appo: Heaven' deride ;

but while their lips speak high Words of ecolriJ, their "ill

w){) r away » billing f

\<£p, ELAL VII

J) few would pu* in thi

• ind - nquirii . i. ttion, i- the very pretext of the

ied One whioli id. when presenting

individual sim • ' have tolcT them that the plea

,s ,r] 1 wo., at their humility [ wardly fcir

>Iuj • jtion of the very enemy from whom they would es-

nit alarmed when be saw them penib
H . , i : . . hi imee, fa d the lines —

sees
The we iki-st .-dint upon Ilia knees;"

iii'l we. now thai the welfare of a wli<ile mid gallant nation is
trembling iu ibe balance, ignore our own preaching, and turn our
anxious hearers from the Li intain to broken o'uterns?

ilire and noble nation oomee to us with the anxious enquiry
• i Hen and brethren, what ahall v. do to be saved '.'" and ahall we
i,er\iit the inspired answer, and sty, repent not, for y<>u are holy.

in,l I ''. Oar flock*, torn and bleeding, fly to us,

for protection ; ami while the great Shepherd stands

behind u», .-ha 11 we turn these victim- ol the Woll from His fold and

:, into wild.* where the teeth of ferucious beasts *ill

feed upon ihcm '

ii leai brethren, look at the spectacle which our beloved land

ntn !

here ever a more gallant, earnest and eonfldipg people ? —
D I i nation ever stand .-<» firmly to-gether in its political faith, in

t), . • f -in -h dreadful trial-, and meet dangers, spoliations and

:, with more intrepid flrmnesbl Were all the arts of carnal de*
irtare ever wielded with more energy, dating and cour-
a,,(. - U»«»k around « li<- v :i>t frontiers of this glorious land, and see
it ali pit wnh a w ill of h iu-t which are heating the wave?

,,f ,, ,iol ruihli'-s invi-ion, making here and there a h reach

0vtr I ho dies of thi.- d. \oted hand, and rolling in a flood of

li e
i, t the b ttle fields, where sleep in unknown graves, myriaoi

0f ;,- ,r CUU fronted the Storm of battle, fallen in da

fence ol home ami <ight : and see, still springing to the places of
tin- all in, the plowman from the field, the artisan from his >>hop,Lhe
rich mm from Id- palace, the peasant from his humble cot. States-
men plan, lc\i-e, labor — soldiers endure and die — men, women and
children run to and fro in anxious ellorts to aid the common 0UU86:

itil] ai of war ragei on Land and sea, the ooaatfl smoke with

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. • 127

burning towns, the frontiers are slippery with the blood of heroes,
the interior is crowded with flying exiles, homeless and houseless.

All w.ho can do auy thing for the cause are looked to with the
yearning heart of a great nation ; and to us, christian1 brethren, more
than to those strong arms which present a wall of bayonets round
our borders have been turned the anxious eyes of ou: dear and de-
Toted countrymen. This honor is due, in part, to the psst instruc-
tions of the Church : and how glorious is our privilege and how ter-
rible our responsibility !

Shall we disappoint such hopes as were never before turned from
the world to the Church ? Shall wo triflj alike with God, and with
the victims of His displeasure?

Shall we fail to dome to the rescue girded with that invincible ar-
mor which God has provided ? Shall we shut up Heaven that it
rain not on the parched earth in the days of our prophecy ?

We have an answer of life from God : He has shown to us th-
thing that is good, and shall we with-held it from our peop! '

It may not be in the form that some expect — it will conflict with
the carnal pride of all : but shall we shirk our duty or\that account f
Suppose that the populace whom we come to save should tear m»
to pieces: can we afford to conceal God's message on that account ?
Even in that extreme case, we would show no more courage than
the common soldier : he goes out from dear ones, fed and clothed by
the labor of his hands, to perish with disease or fall in battle, un-
honorcd, unknown, and unlamented except by a few stricken <•
in his bumble home, leaving these a prey to the speculators for whose
protection Be offers up his life. He knows it is" his duty to obey hie
country's call, and he marches to danger in front, leaving trouble
and anguish behind, and having no hope of any other earthly rc\*
than the common good of aH the country.

And shall the pr Idicr of Heaven be less courageous tha;i

the subjr ■ t lily power, and wheu they know that their fall

shall be their eternal gain ?

But wl >swer fr< : id with which Church

is charged, will not flatter the pride of the carnal heart, we have no
re*»oo to believe 'bat the nation will Dot kindly receive and eare-

fully heed it. The people have been faithfully taught in the past

they have long had Bibles in their hand* — God's witness is in their
consciences, .* B ' been felt and ackuowl"

edged.

1 t.were, yean ed to hor a • - 11 to repent-

ance . it has wan! ' umbled I I G [( might

| . '■ |

K

Th

I

I '. .

;>hct
I don
colo i ■'• ■ '»

■hi]

■

aid
havv paid them ] thej

• • - - p are men

wi«! i | preach l l boold tur.

• the living God w' ■ i . ••' •:

| IT, 1 5

hua I pur

: .iporary p< .. i r or w

, d them Croat theU • ;b,ta thai

>» Ltatioo for and pal ■ . or I

W'h I prosl tall wo lift

arnal pri passions may ren-
der I
the Almighty ?

bort a]

ia our I i Li ply to

: if ■ ■>. they will

. • Is, Wl DC rn U

->'. »n
I li- word tn those
1 „ 'Host of i!

' *
lo family which I brought up from
the ' ring, Yon ■ 1 known of :;11 the fa

lies ' ' punish yon for all your iniqutl

Car ,-thcr |5X0 ;o*agrecd ?"— . 1,2,3-

The ted in the

» mntability : (inbb

wh< is given, of hi hall much be required*" • huh .

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 120

xii, 48.) We boast with reason of our superior orthodoxy, and close
, in doctrine, to the Scriptures; and let us hear the warning
voice of these — " And that servant which knew his Lord's will, and
prepared not himself, neither did according to his will shall bo beat
en with many stripes/' — Luke, xii, -17.

Brethren, there is a sad and fearful thought connected with this
matter, and the hand trembles as the pen portrays it. This is a har-
vest time, in the Cou federate States, for those who would enrich
themselves on the necessities and distresses of the public ; but there
is a kind of speculators who have not yet been properly classified.
These are the spiritual guides who, would build up their worldly re-
nown on the ruins of a confiding nation : men who trado in the car-
nal passiona of an excited people, and whose gains are rusted with
the blood of souls.

When the vast majority of men, women and children in a great
nation are earnestly laboring to prevent threatened destruction, the
engrossers of the necessities of life occupy a most unenviable posi-
tion 5 but what shall be thought of those who convert the bread of life
into ] ■■' :•! delusions which steep the •Soul in drunkenness that

leads to both temporal and spiritual destruction ? What honest in-
terest of this. great and glorious, but bleeding and afflicted nation,
is served by those who stand in the pulpijs to flatter the carnal in-
stincts of their hearers 1 Who but the preachers can receive any
possible benefit ?

While millions arc toiling and sweating with practical aims, how
disgusting is the spectacle presentedjjy those who have refused every
post of danger both in the spiritual and temporal service, and who
seek the reputation of heroes by hurling anathemas at the North-
ern Tyrant and his bloody legions, from the secure asylum of inland
Churches !

What a mockery are these idle exhibitions in this earnest and
busy crisis ! What an awful trifling with infinite interests in this
great day of decision !

These men lay aside the spiritual armor in the presence of the
spiritual enemy, and would atone for^heir ignoble flight from him
by assuming the weapons of the State, and furiously brandishing
them, in the arena where carnal powers never come in conflict!

Who and what ire these ? The world does not own them as the

statesmen who plead, in its forums, the causes of nations: the scarred

veterans of the tented field do not recognize them as the heroe> who

I in the imminent deadly breach, and turn the battle to the

gate: — and we know that their ways do not belong to Zion, upon

17

following the way of BaLmni, ih

ting * heni-
■v' —
: trees wl
1 up by tl
• ■ uning out their nwn sh.iiiif \ wunderimg

. y.r."

' ' ■. ii.

#

OP NATIONAL TRIALS.

131

•

O H A. V T E R, \ .

Speeicd Obligations. Duties of the Church, conth
We have just .seen that the Church of the Confederate States i?
solemnly called- on to preach, repentance \o the nation; and I
brings us to its nest duty, which is to begin the work itself.

The fcssons of the times are full ■ . ig interest to the chrif- •

tian population of America: they clearly demonstrate that there i
a necessity for a searching examination, oh the part of the vi i
Church, into its own character and works.

Would this dreadful conflict have heen permitted if all the nom-
inal christians in the countries scourged by it, had heen engaged in
the work of their Master ?*

The nations now at war were under the influence of the religion,
element : they were christian nations, and all the springs of national
iife were under the control. of the visible Church. The spiri
house-hold is, therefore, largely responsible for these calamities.

First. Because if the whole, or any large part of it, had been
animated with the spirit of its Head, there could not have been such
■i display of furious and deadly animosity.

Secondly. Cod would not have permitted calamities in which u

y of His people share, and which have so interfered with the

ler order and work of the Church, if His professod followers

had been using their vast opportunities in a' way to promote Hi?

glory.

DLY. The christian element of society has an instructed
conscience, and ought to^ be well acquainted with the plan of God's
dealings with His creatures ; and as it was thus its duty to warn the
people of their dangers, au Btrength in numbers, learning

wealth and position gave it a predominant influence, tho deplor:
• of things proves that it could not have been true to this obli-
ion.

These propositions inevitably result from the application of the
oripture already discussed to existing facts of An
aor is the f the first weakened in the Confede-

rate Stall consideration that the christians here were forced

•_'ht in self-defence, by the a.: ij of the I

A cruel war for waged ag:

mcr country, by the latter— and as far as the desires of the men in-

SCRIITI KAT, VIEWS

■ rulen • :' tl i "iiitod St
thil tragic drama.

il penmittod bj tl •■ Almighty Di And why

iMitnil lot uttering on the defending

parties? AJ ' — and tl l*s own assertion

of the guilt of nil.

that we a the continuance of this

ace in th< of Heaven : this

,. conflict i a wa/ning to us, npt of our sin in begin-

r whieh it has heeo-sent and
ucd by the Almighty.

the reasons already given, an important part of these offences
at the do«r of the risible Church; and its duty to its own char-
tuntry and to [uirea it to commence at once a

solemn and searching inquisition into its present condition and sp*ir-
■ i into its past history.
A - it has clearly appeared, the christian elemeat of society, in-
ducted in the plans of Providence, must teach that the only way
-••ape from the troubles of the Limes, is by the genera] and sin-
cere repentance of the afflicted parties; but with what grace can the
Church, without a change in itself, call for reformation in the na-
tion? s

(.hole public in America, has enjoyed, to some extent, the

es of a sound religions instruction ; and perhaps a majority

«rho are Out efthe pale of the nominal Israel are awaie of

:iture of the VOW1 it has made to its Divine Head.

The world always has a sharp vision for the faults of christians —

this naturally i n < i u i.-i t i •. • disposition is rendered more active in
Amerioa by the universal and rightfully founded impression that
aroh is largely responsible for the present calamities.
With what solemn emphasis do all these facts speak to the chris-
tian poblio in the Confederate States! The Church knows it is
commissioned to preach repentance to the nation — it knows that it
monished te reform Ltfl own ways — and it ought to be well a.
reproof of popular sin:- frill be unavailing as long as it pre-
sents such glowing iuconsistciieir- between conduct and profession.
Its own repentance is, in itself, an important element of national
safety : and the reformation of people sorely scourged for sin, must
greatly depend on ihis example of the visible house-hold of
Rsith.
Christian brethren of the Confederate States! let us look to our-
I aud our own house : let us awake to the awful realities of our

OP NATIONAL TRIALS.

'position, and humbly, penitently and prayerfully enquire wherein
it is that we have offended.

This is not the place to undertake any special enumeration of our
sins as the visible Church ; bat I would respectfully offer suggestions
to aid in an examination which, if properly conducted, cannot but
lead to the most glorious results.

1. Every inhabitant of this afflicted land who bears the Dame of
fist, ought to onter into a searching scrutiny of his past conduct
and of his present position, as a member of the nominal Israel of
God; and he ought to contrast his whole line of conduct with the
standard of religious duty plainly revealed in the Divine charter of
his faith.

This work should be entered on with that sincerity and determin-
ation which ought to characterize those who are hastening to an aw-
ful account; and it should be eonducted with secret prayer, and per-
severiugly continued.

Every one ought to ask himself, -Aru I really what I profess to be" ?
What evidence is there in my own heart that I love God more than
the world? What do my actions prove ? What has been my ru-
ling desire 1 how have I received the countless mercies of God in
the past '■ Have I realized that I am not my own ? have I made
any sacrifices for Christ ? has His cause been dear to me ? have T
beep a stumbling block to His people or the world ? have I offended
RAJ of His little ones?

Could I ha've done more than I have done to arrest the course of
members of my house-hold, .of servants, kindred or neighbors who
have perished in their sins? Are there auy now in eternity or * on
their way to its dread realities, without hope in Christ, who can con-
it me at the judgement seat and show upon my skirts the blood
If their souls ?

Am I responsible for the prevalence of any vice ? have I done all
1 could to prevent the cold, or corrupt condition of my Church?

Have I, as a citizen, been more influenced by party feeling, thin
by zeal for the interests of the Church ? have I not shown to my
family and the world that I value wealth, honor or carnal eujoyment
moro than my heavenly inheritance ?-

2. They who fear the Lord should seek out«cach other, and speak
iftea orte to another, of their Master's intcre-

In this work, denominational prejudices should be forgotten ; and
neighbors, friends and acquaintances should, with. >ect,

coofeM their faults to each otfa r, oommune and pray t -gether, and
encourage one another in the good work of reformat

r i*. i- poi 'ither
.

. their prayei ber, and to

at the afiaira of Ziou. "Again I b»> m That

. | touching ar.y "h'. .

• 11 be d in of Hi • -v.

ithered v name, there

' i/h. xvii . that

and the Lord heark-

. '•

iiis

' '':i.v

y jewels

'in.

d'the
■i I '".i ■ . nd him that 61 \ eth tliin

•_ Mai. Hi, 10, 17, 18.

Be will always fulfil il

alati er and i Hi people perform their part of

the conditioj ,

iduau * iharafl organ izai :

imination and repent-
I if aid pre&eh i series o( sornjoni

,n the b< fed in tl • res,

I pointed I the condition of tbiBg!

hi^ i : ; ::d the OJ the ChurOfa OUghl

other a certed means for th

[notion of that godly sorrow
which works repentant is the first and ti

portant busin tiding the attention of every worshiping

. .- ..; it oai without a risk

liurchjud «: Should, in their! official capacity,

tremend ilitiea now resting en the

aid grve I 6f their puhlio

im delinquinoies and in favor tA every

llCCle

t'uno to manifest our repentance by our \.

foi to-day, an we ought

to b , wo convict our- in in

.
The rge a religious duty is when it is made obviOM

ef the period are enhanced t>y those

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. 135

public cohfessionB.which* tne Church is iriafcing 6f past

and of its intention to me future and more fr

vorable occasion.

How' oft©] preached to sinners of the world

text : "And* as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judg-
ment to come, Felix trembled, i Go thy way for
bime.j when I have'a convenient I will call for thee.
lActs xxiv. 25.)

Tt is God Himself who is now reasoning to His visible Clnirch of
these things, while the whole continent quakes at the sound 6f His
voice : shall we answer Him that His occasion docs not suit us, and
bid Him go His way till we shall call for Him ?

" "Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, wa*
there none to answer ? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot
redeem ? or have I no power to deliver ?" — (Is. L. 2.)

" Turn you at my reproof ; behold, I will pour out my 9
unto you. I will make known my words unto you.

Because I have called, and you, refused ; I have stretched out ray
hand, and no man regarded ;

But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my
reproof:

I, also, will laugh at your calamity : I will mock when your fear
cometh ;

When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh
as a whirlwind ; when distress and*anguish cometh upon you.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer : all

seek me early, but they shall not find me ;

For they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the
Lord :

They would none of my counsel : they despised all my reproof."
— (Prov. i. 23-30.)

" T l:eth the Lord of. hosts, saying, This people s»y, Th<

time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built....

Now, therefore, thus Faith the Lord of hosts; cor rwnys.

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye cat, brf not

enough ; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink ; ye clothe you,
but there is none warm ; and he that earncth wages, carneth wages
to put it into a bag with hoL

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ; Cot -:

Go up to the mountain, and bring \ hi u

and I will take pleasure in it, and Twill be glorifi< '

Ye looked for much, and, lo, it tame to little ; and when

FCIUPTCIIA

me, T did blow upon it. Why I saith the Lord of
-. ■':■■■ that i run ever

■

rth
is st»-. fruit. •

I for r\ d: apOU the moun-

ine, :mi<1 ■ oil",

that whicb tl forth, and ft] and

rid upon all the labour of the hand " /''- i. 2,5— Hi)
Tl rfpnn nfigleotad duties df which

God's its remind us, is when \ iffering chasti-'

and thai this is the only way to seoure thote better times to whi
1 adjourn our obligations.
Ami now, in sonclusion of this Bubject, let us heed the apleuu
import of the following words :

• \ ity, and .

Saying, If thou hadli known, i , at least in this thy day,

thingc which belong unto thj ' at now they arc hid from •

thine eyes.

I" - •' . days shall OOrae upon thee, that thine enemies .-hall east
■ trench about thee, an - thee round, and keep thee in on

every side,

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within

thee; and they shall not leave in thee one BtOi 8 upon another; bfl

thitu knewest m>t the time of thy visitation.'*- Ltlkt xix. 41-14.

6. The Chureb ought to manifest in all its manners and aetiona

St, realizing and absorbing sense of the solemnity of the

d of God's displeasure with itself • and in all its prayers

and puhlie deliverances it i light to make confession of its sins, and

v. it IS eoKseious there i- an aeeursed thing in the eaniji of Is-

rlelj and its great anxiety to have it discovered and purged away at

any expense oi pride, or of C J in injurious; habits. In this

matter, every S60t should look for 00 Aehan in its own tribe, for it

is not a time for family jars when the safety and the honor of the

whole kindred are at stake ; and the Church of the Confederate

States should show infinitely more concern for its own family than
for that of othet nations.

I' ry individual, every congregation, every denomination and the
whole bodj of Christians in the Confederate States, should search

at home fqr offeliees ; and the gully >val of pel sons and communities

should turn its energies in these directions where alone it can ex
hort to edification, and rebuke with all authority.

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. 137

Let us all, christian brethren, strive to sec ourselves as others see
us, as we are beheld by Him who is of purer eyes than to behold
evil, and cannot look on iniquity ; let us all look on Him whom we
have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness for Him, as those who
are in bitterness for their first born.

Let there be a great mourning in all Jerusalem ; and let its sin-
cerity aud universality be demonstrated by the personal grief of ev-
ery man and woman, each tribe, eaeh family and each individual
im turning apart.

When this is done, the Lord will cut off the names of the idols
out of the land, and they shall not be remembered ; and " them will
the Lord be jealous for His land a»d pity His people," and He will
.** remove far off the northern army," and we u shall eat in plenty,
and he satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord our Goil that hath
dealt wondrously with us." — (Zech. xii. Joel'ri.')

Then shall " the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the
wilderness be-a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a
forest.

Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness
in the ii uiti'ul field.

And the work of righteousness shall be peace ; and the effect of
rigkteousness, quietness and assurance forever." — (Is. xxxii. 15-17.)

18

<• n a i- i f. ":•'■ SI.

fherc ht( . ibt| many tru.> chri the Chanel

federate States of America ; ami to each one of these who r
; ial appeal is UOW :i I

In your hand", dear brethren, (Jod baa plaood the means of your
iverance: upon your action, more than upon any other
iled agency, depends the issue of that struggle which aba
attention of the civilized world

God has irreatly honored II i- ]■• ople in mating them co-worker4
with and under TTim : they have, through Chri-?, the power to bring
lown ble8&ingfl <>n their land, and to cause M the wilderness
-;litary place to be glad for them.'1

Wherever there is a christian heart, full of the Spirit of the Mas*

... .ne of the nation's bulwarks ; and when such are sc.it-

l among the people, and preserve and manifest, the' true savor of

heir calling, there is hope for the country, however severe its

trials.

Hat you, dear brethren, may err in what yon omit to do, as well

I what you do ; and if you fail in declaring the whole counsel

cf God, you will share largely in the temporal afflictions of your

generation.

Tt was not those who merely abstained from the pollutions of the
times that were marked upon the forehead by the man clothed in
linen, with a writer's ink-horn by his side ; but the exemption from
the slaughter denounced upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem was ex-
tended only to those that sighed and cried for all the abominations
that were done in the midst of the city. — {Ezek. ix.)

Permit me then, respectfully ami kindly, but with earnest and
solemn emphasis to urge you to consider what has been said to the
whole nominal Church ; and allow me, also, to assure you that if
you will faithfully pursue the course plainly marked out for you in
the Divine Charter of your faith, a bright and glorious day will
succeed this night of storm.

Each one of you, whatever your station or influence, is called on
to testify to the sovereignty and jastiee of God, and to the sins of
the people : e\cb is required to afflict his soul and to be in bitter-

OB NATIONAL TRIALS'. " 139

ness for his own" offenses, and for the offences of his nation, and to
exert himself to arrest the course of evil.

You very well know tkttt the calamities of the nation are sent of
God ; and you know, also,- that, the result of these trials will glorify
their Author.

His designs cannot be tkwcYte'd-'-neitker His word nor His judg-
ments shall return to Him void, or fail to accomplish that whereto
they. are sent. •

If the nation amend its ways, its calamities will he the healthful
chastening of a son : .if it hardens its neck, it will be more sorely
smitten, and will be ultimately healed or destroyed.

It is time for us all to awake to a full and practical apprehension
of this great truth : we are in the midst of stern and awful realities,
in the midst of one of these formative epochs, when the whole cur-
rent of history depends on the action- of a day.

It is a time of conflict in the spiritual, as well as in the natural
world : the elements of principles always hostile are now mustered
for decisive battle, and while our brethren after the flesh are doing
their part so nobly, shall it be said that they failed for the want of
our cooperation ?

The banners of the enemy whom we are leagued to encounter,
now flaunt before us; every man is now called to assume his station
for or against the cause, and there can be no neutrals in this con-
test. God Himself is calling the muster rolls of His nominal fol-
lowers ; and every one who does not respond by taking his place in
line of battle, with his spiritual armor on, will be counted as a de-
serter from his flag, or a traitor to his cause.

If we fail to meet this crisis with the right spirit, the hopes of a
gallant people will perish, our own dearest earthly interest,,
will hasten to irretrievable ruin, and the future annals of the Church
will associate our names with those who fall miserably below great
occasions, or who betray tbeir trust in the day of decision.

Upon us is devolved a responsibility which we cannot lay aside
if we meet it as we ought, our reward will be glorious—if we neg
lect our part, we will write ourselves ignoble for all coming tjm*.

And now that we may, one and all, the better perform our several
tasks, I venture to offer a few suggestions in regard to tho special
obligations of every christian.

First. No one \a to wait until the Church, in its organized
capacity, leads the way in the work of reformation.

The Church is not a corporation, responsible to its Head only in
Itfl collective capacity ; nor is Christianity a result of associated la.

1 1" x-RJiTLRAL TOWS

. an attribute belonging onlj to men, in their collective capacity,
together under particular forms. Religion i-
vital pri i \ imi, in the soul of the individual ; and

all v. animated ;irv in spiritual eommunion with each Other

and with the Divine source of their life.

The visible Church merely represents this union ; hut in t li »
psnj c>f professed beli earth, there may he, and always an

many who are not in communion with God.

The soul of the true disciple is united to Christ by Hying joint>
Uld bands: but there is no such union between a temporil organ-
ization of men calliug themselves the Church, and the Divine Power

The Church, in its worldly form, often becomes corrupt; and re-
fotmi seldom, if ever, spring from the actions of its judicatories.*

There is ever a tendency in frail, human nature to attribute to
temporal organizations the power which belongs to God alone; and
however pure a Church may be in doctrine, a long state of prosper-
ity is sure to imbed its government in forms and technicalities which
practically deny the power of godliness.

Machinery becomes every thing, especially to those who chiefly
control it; aud we have not to go far to find Church judicatories
who have hedged in themselves and the energies of the bodies they
represent by traditions which make the commandment of God of
none effect.

To such mechanics, the manner of doing a thing is of infinitely
more importance than the thing itself — and with them the whole life
of the Church is preserved, diffused and transmitted through a tech-
aieal routine that becomes daily more intricate, complex and cum-
brous To be experts in thi.- Talmudieal profound, and to add to
Ltfl depth and opacity, are taken as signs of a promising ruler ; and
if the life of the Church really depended on these official tinkering?,
it would lie confined to such narrow and crooked channels that it
could never accomplish any really useful purpose.

Bnt whatever is commanded to the whole Church, is enjoined on
aabb individual member ; and while no one is to usurp places in the
risible household of faith, each is to labor, in his position, aud by
all his means, for the results which are commanded to believers as
a body.

The Church must have a government — and in this organization
special parts are allotted to particular classes ; but the grand duty of
the christian, as such, belongs to every individual in every situation.

When, therefore, any one feels that God is calling for repentance.
he is not to wait for the action of the judicatory of his church ; and

or NATIONAL TRIALS. 141

be.-ides, repentance is indiviJuaf, and not collective, ami is a sacri-
fice which cannot be offered by any body of men in their official or
organized capacity.

And let no one fear the charge of being an ambitious disturber of
the peace of the Church — for the marks of a true reformer are such
that they cannot be mistaken.

It is an unfavorable sign when those who profess to be called as
reformers begin by separating themselves, assuming new names, and
aiming at the honor of founding sects called by their own names;
while the true champion of the honor of God seeks not to found or
control parties but to infuse, if possible, a new and purer life into
that to which he belongs.

His first effort will be to see this conformed in action to the stand-
ard of its orthodox profession ; and not until he sees its principles
in conflict with the doctrine of God, or its action in fixed and pur-
posed opposition to his truth, will he forsake it for other connections.

Every one belonging to tfee spiritual household is required to
walk according to the principles which he professes, whatever other*
may do — to shine as a light in the world, to hold forth the word of
life to others, to mourn over his own sins, and to see and sigh for
toe sins of his brethren of every class and in every position. He is
. called on, also, to testify for the whole truth of God : to be^instant
and earnest in efforts to warn the world of its danger, and to point
his fellow men to the only hope of safety.

Secondly. No one is to wait for a leader.

Christ is the leader of His people, aud they are to call no other
Lord or Master ; and there, is no better sign of a dead or dying
Church organization than the fact that all its movements are con-
trolled by a few notable preachers. The more there is said of Paul
and Appolos, the less there is thought of Chri>t.

Thus saith the Lord : " Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,
and inaketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the
Lord.

For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not sec
when good cometh ; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wil-
derness, j'u a salt land and not inhabited.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lordj and whose hope the
Lord is

For he ohall be as a tree planted by the waters, and thai spreadetb
oat her root! bj the river, and shall not Be* when In at oometh, but
her leaf shall be green ; and shall net be careful in the year of
drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." — Jrr. sviij 5-8.

MS? SCRIPTURAL VIF.wa

ron man irhoM breath u i:i kit noetriu; for vherem
unted of ?"--Ar;/.;/j ii, 82.
( )ur \ ' . ! Ii - Word and Hij

• ar< our glides, oinl when lie calls us to a Work \* i<

I until it is honored by the load of those win are striving t
'■ t Wet the Light and bead of the Chur«h.
.:<• to be subj'' brethren in many filings, and I

OB us places in the Obarob, or forms of labor fur which wo hare

regularly set apart, Eoenrding to its gOT
«• ' • t'i try to smother the convictions of hisoctaseicnoe, or
:"in«e a work to whi alls h.iui merely b< not

. sanctioned by thoM who may be considered mon I in

in knowledge, or illustrious for eloquence tr position.

TiliUDLV. A man''-' inil.i nod with (rod, so to speak, and his res-
p inability are two different things. The latter may and does in
paxt depend on his learning and position — the former does hot

rnity will bring to light many things whioh would now eeum
•trauge to us ; and among these will be tho relative importance
the work of Christ of the different members of His visible body on
It will be found that not a few who hore seemed to be pil-
lars of the Church, and who spoke with excellency of speech and
enticing words of man's wisdom v. ore builders with wood, hay and
stubblo — aud that some trhb pa Bed their livos in obicurity, or were
of no reputation among the brethren, laid upon tho foundation of
God the gold, silver and precious stones whioh stand the test of that
.all prove every man's work of what sort it is. Famous
ija and writer- will tuffi r 1< M -in thte-consuming of all the shining
h with which they built monuments to their glory in time ; and

little ' " appealed here as babes in Christ, or passed their mn-

honored lives in the patient, sufferance of faith shall be identified
with the most illustrious works.

God Beee ami judges differently from men : He beholds the inner

life, and Bis saints are great or .mall before Him according to the

mblanee ol their hearts to Obrbt. "The foundation of God

: re, having this sea!, The Lord knoweth them that are

His"— II Tim. ii, 19.

All remember what Christ said of the poor widow who cast two
mites into the treasury of God ; those who, like her, give all they
hav rvice of the Master, with a willing mind, and in the

fuith that the virtue of all means depends wholly on His hlossing,are
thegrea' the Kingdom of Heaven.

\ nati'ii may think itself much favored of God with great reli-

. OP NATIONBL TKIALS. 143

gicras lights ; and it may 'be possible that at the time it looks on
these as the principal part of its happiness and power, the mereh .-
of Christ are flowing down through channels that are ignoble in the
•sight of men.

"Wherever there is a heart bearing the image of Christ, there is
one of the springs of life to the state ; and every one of sucli, what-
. - his or her position in the world, ha6 potter with God. through
ijisr. nftip has united thorn to Himself by living joints and band*.

Christ, in short, if* the source of all good to a fallen and rohellious
world; and every converted descendent of Adam is a pari of the
visible body of- this only Medium of Divine^blessings, and is encour-
aged and commanded freely to ask in His name for things accord ii g
to His will.

Fourthly. It is the/aith of the christian that secures efficacy
to his works; and all can labor in prayer at lea6t

The fervent effectual prayer of the righteous man availcth much ;
and every servant of Christ, whatever the circumstances of his tem-
poral condition, can wrestle in spirit with God.

We cannot estimate the importance to a community or country of
•v single, faithful christian in the very obscurest walk of life ; and
we know that God would have spared the most wicked cities on earth
for the sake of ten righteous men. The truth is, the servants of
Christ, as a general thing, effect more by their example than by
their words ; and every one who acts up to the principles of the gos-
pel, is a living epistle to the world, written by the hand of God
Himself.

Let the humble member of the Church remember this; and let
him, when God's judgements are abroad in the land, manifest his
sense of the solemn fact in careful and honest self-examination, in a
prayerful survey of his past life, in the fasting and mourning of his
wpirit for his own past offences, and for the offences of his people
and in his profound and submissive anxiety to be led in the path of
dutv. He can at all events indicate his convictions by his own re-
pentance and humble and contrite walk before God ; and this con-
stant attitude of fearful enquiry will be the most eloquent testimony
whieh any can bear to the character of the Providence through which
the nation is passing.

Indeed, the first appeal which all christian! are to make to the
conscience of the world is to be offered by their own example i their
conduct is the test of the sincerity of their professions, and if their
actions indicate a certain apprehension of God's displeasure for iin
their words of warning to others will come with power, while if

144 scarrTCRAL vrrws.

their i-..ur- displays no consciousness of offence and no fear of an
P itj coming in the clouds of Heaven, the most eloqr.
:it rebukes ami exhortations will amount bo Jittle.

The continual sound of Noah's hammer on the ark was the
.idencc he could famish to hit eotemporarics of his convicti
I id's coming judgements; and the daily and penitential confession .
of his own sins ii the most eloquent and effeetive manner in whi
the christian can manifest hi
TTis people.

FIFTHLY. The example of the great hody of the nominal Church
i- no excuse to any true disciple of Christ for failing to do what he
feels to "he the duty id' all ; much less, therefore, will his neglect be
justified hy the eccentric conduct of a few individual**.

Whatever is commanded to the whole Church, i^ the special dut\
ich member ; and the fact that a portion of the professing chris-
tian community walk in a way unworthy of their calling only ren-
ders it the more important that others should he more diligent and
faithful..

The Church of Christ, as already said, is not a corporation, acting
ouly in its aggregate charactei each individual is a rcsponsihle
agent, and each is held to as striet an accountability a> if ho consti-
tuted the whole christian element of society. Where there are
ral communicants, organized into a Church, there is a subor-
dination of parts, and to each is a special department of lahor; hut
each one is interested in the fidelity of every other ; and every one
must aid, in his place, iu the duties of the whole.

The grand duty to testify repentance towards God, and faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ, is enjoined on every disciple ; and as already
I, whatever is commanded as the work of the whole Church is
a responsibility resting on its component parts.

Are you ready to ask, " Bow are wo to know that (rod is celling
us to repentance ?"

The answer is plain : it is found in the doctrines of Scripture al-
discussed, applied to the circumstances of our beloved coun-
try.^

We ;ire in trouble : God Bends it On us.

We are scourged with a wasting and grievous war : it \# Divinely
permitted.

The whole nation sufi*«rs, and the Almighty Disposer allows these
ealamities : art; we not, therefore, sinners?

We desire to be let alone, and yet we are persecuted with undy-

..1' NATIONAL TRIALS 145

•

ing tualicrc : we long for peace, and pray for it, but it does not col
Is tlv solemn lesson to us in all this ?

Is not the voice of God sounding in our cars ?

We have, Moses and the prophcts'for our teachers: we have the
[e testimony of God, and all the history .of the past for interpre-
ters of the severe Providences through which we are passing, aud If
: .re not enlightened by these we would refuse to believe if one
were to arise from the dead. _ ■

We walk in the light of the nineteenth century of christian pro-
gress, and all the ends of the world are met before us in solemn tes-
timony; and from all the records of the past, from the dreadful re-
alities of the present, and from every part of His infallible Word
the v dee of Jehovah sounds perpetually in our ears, " Turn ye, turn
ye, for w by will ye die?"

Oh christian brethren, let us not sleep as do those who are of the
night: let us banish from our minds every seducing thought, and
turn our whole souls in honest and earnest enquiry to the only source
of Light and Life.

Lcl •• '■ ' Ives, if we would not be judged and condemned

by oihu.-, let us compare our conduct and attitude with the teach-
ings of that Truth which we profess to honor. Let us ask ourselves,
are we in the appointed way of the Divine blessing ? and let us an-
swer this question by a faithful application of Scripture to our ac-
tions, an '. to the condition of our hearts.

"We have no right to say we are not largely responsible for these
troubles : no on" of us can dare to approach the mercy seat with
such a claim.

Every afflicted inhabitant of a smitten land bears part of the bur-
• f its guilt ; and of all others, the true christian should be most
ready to confess his part of the blame attaching to every class.

It does not become him, in his words or thoughts, to claim ex-
emption from the sine which have brought judgement upon the na-
tion ; and while it is his duty and privilege to exhort and rebuke
others, hi GrsJ co ild be to discover and repent of his own

sins.

Let me again ask, what is our attitude before Heaven '( Are we
humble ? .. We know if we are not, that our h< arts are not right
within us.

" If I shut up I bal there be DO rain, or if I command the

locusts to devour tl ] end pestilence among the ]

If my people, which arc called by my name, shall humble thein-
-elves, and pray, tad seek my face; and turn from their wicked

19

140 UPTURAL vnw-

wmya; th.-n will I hear from heayen, and will forgiva their sin, and

Will heal their land."—// Chmn. vii, 18, 14.

M Behold, his soul W„Y/, is lifted up, is not upright in him : but
the just shall live by his faith "—//,///. ii, 4.

" Humble yovraalvta in the right of the Lord, and he shall ]it'(
I hi ."■ — Jamu* iv, 10.
Tl.v fear offM Lord urth« [aatf-aetia* af. ■wisdom; and before
hr. mil-ity.* ' — /Vor. xv, S3.

« Be otafced with humility : for M reaiatath the proud,and giv-
•^th grao* tx> the humble.

i^nn hie yourselves, therefore, under tbe toighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time."—/ PeUr v, o, 6.

" Though the Lord he high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly ;
but tbc proud he lenoweth afar off."— A exxxviii, G.

* Poi thus saith the high and lofty One that inhahiteth eternity.

whose name ,'s Holy; T dwell in the high and holy place, with him

also that, is of a oontrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of

i.umble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." — fsaia/i,-

iviii, 15.

P Thus saith. the Lord, The heaven lj my throne, and the earth i*
footstool : where it the house that ye build unto me P and where
fa the plaee of my rest f

For all those thin</s liath mine hand made, and all those thing*
iave been, saith the Lord : but to this man will I look, even to him
thai U poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." —
/. Ixti. I, -

This is the spirit with which, in the sight of Heaven, we are t*>
yeceivc calamities : this is the frame of mind with which we are to
make our own confessions, and to entreat and rebuke our fellow men.

We must not only mourn over our own offences, but wo must lose
ji<» opportunity for declaring the counsel of God ; and we are to go
forward without delay, and without waiting for any one to lead, in
the path that we know to be the one of safety and of peace.

" To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
■■■«" (Jame* iv. 17-); an(^ *nuH ^ ls a miserable derusion in us to
■WPP 0t0 that we shall escape merely because we abstain from what
■we know to be sins in other*. We sin, also, if we do not warn them
of the consequences of their actions ; and we are especially liable to
condemnation if we refuse to try tu lead in the direction we know
the Church ought tc go.

Of >.ATiONAV TB£AffiB> *»<

C M A P X K \R A* 1 I •

ti^cet'oi obligations.— Duties of Individual Christians, Mrtim^J,,

It is impossible for any christian to consider too seriously the last
quotation of the previous chapter. It is the very message which I
would now impress on the minds of all my. brethren in the Confed-
erate States ; it is full of solemn meaning to that very class who
would vainly claim exemption from the calamities of the times on
the ground that they do not approve of the conduct of affairs in the
religious world.

There are many individual christians, whose consciences are en-
lightened as to the course which the Church ought to pursue, but
who believe they are too modest to thrust themselves forward as
leaders ; and thus they occupy the attitude of men who see their
fellows about to plunge over a precipice, and who will not warn
them of their danger.

Is modesty or pride the prevailing motive for silence in such
cases? or is it not love of ease, and fear of trouble?

We have seen that no one, convinced of his duty, is to wait for

the action of Church judicatories, or of the great body of professing

believers, or for a leader, in flesh and blood ; but perhaps it is prop-

. er to add a few considerations for the correction of an error whicb

has taken strong hold of the popular mind.

In every denomination of christians, there is a body for the de-
cision of matters connected with the Government of the Church ;
and whatever be the name of thesG assemblies, they are courts, in-
vested with certain powers, and claiming the respect of all the mem-
bers of the denomination which they represent.

It has become a habit to regard these judicatories is the eyes of
the Church, and the power by which, under God, the cause of the
Gospel is to be chiefly promoted ; and never was there a greater
mistake, or one more likely to paralyze the energies of the Church.

These bodies are all invested with certain powers which it is deem-
ed important to lodge in the hands of appointed agents ; but wher-
ever there is power in human hands, there is a tendonoy to corrup-
tion.

Besides, these associations are, to a great extent, occupied with
the mere butt the Church; and it is notorious that their

rue;

'ran nt f ime.

. . rcr.-

.Hties of the oeniinuoil
or : :uk1 it u not to b<

thing 4'
' am. They furnish
I

:;l»lc families avail ti.
■ a which Le
I torch to carnal In
It i> Iwell 00 this ] niiiful subject : suffice it I

and

which
ll-being ial

ble, in the ver . . in their

rk ci the Church.

ant in many things, and espec
. tasters ; 1 the duty as well

• privih istian to join the Church, and to act in

<i"d, operati indi

nd every . paramount allegiance to

from Him and f

:he individual for Christ died : il is the iudi-

temple of the Holy Ghost, and who is in> coxn-

with God. " ' . ; tely

ml to the serv' on

th : and tl ■

:' ' bor for different el nm-

I Ihurob ti
reh: as one of a Large ■ icietyofpi disciples are

himself i1:'1 risible Church :
(Jr 1 " ilitj td his Dm in the

fact that others arc joined with him in the risible body sf 01

il bourn" himself with the s :•

ho'l anion < f the world ■

the purity and fidelity Bf

And, therefore, the delinqul re in the Ohuroh, and of

its judioat iri< . : re not only no exoui 3 for the private member, but
they lay him und r obligation to work and strive and pray

or NATIONAL THIALS.

r the glory of his Divine Efead : in short, the progress of evil in
the Church, ifa well as out of it, is a call on every christian, with an
instrtuctcd conscience, to greater zeal, vigilance and devotion.

Now ft n g I li'ne to rectff to these first principles; and tor-
baps t he i ■ rt*glefct is one cause of the present tri

in ally christian pi : ftle world, has

for ;. ' been departing in practice farther and farther from

entnl truths ; aud ' ■ ■ r and capital

so important in w rldly matters, the followers
moro.and ■more diapoBed to consider the Church as a
corporation, acting and Responsible only in its aggregate capacity,

words but a. piece of mechanism, only useful i
whole, and the com] vhiob were of no value when de

t ached.

: a Mnni-inlidel writer t ikes * notice of this fatal delusion of
■ mpt to affect, ttie hearts of men Jay mere i
ehiuery ; and the more we study this subject in. the light of Truth,
the nii.'ie reason !: snrpViaed at the long forbearance of

G-od v.ith the maiwier in which His people were evading the respou-
".ity with which He had invested them, and disregarding His
repeated and pointed commands.

But [lis righteous rebuke has at last fallen upon a portion of His
servant. iey would avoid severer chastisements, they should

instan it aud do their first works over.

- calling on the Church ._, to turn from its errors —

but He is, also, with awful emphasis, proclaiming His displeasure
to every individual. We are uot suffering merely as members of
the Church ; the scourge reaches us in all our relation", and it is
the man and the christian to whom Jehovah 'now emphatically ap-
peals. Every one who names the name of Christ is called on to de-
part from iniquity ; the axe is laid at the root of the trees, and all
i h do not bear good fruit will b xn and oast into the

fire.

Eve -ailed on I

count is in rel'ati manner in which ' intly suffered

the errors and offer:' Church.

If the honor of Goi n to ohristiai y against the

sina of the worid, hov <■ obligate • to wai

who profane the holy • oa fchui

subject that every one is re«iuired to answer. It u no time top
t ho ion r oi ei i,-:.!;- i tri 6 G-od ii

ry?
* Caulylk. — See hi

150 - biptubal raws

Jeremiah, s man of most tender spirit, ww madl t oauei of strife
u whole nation. — Jen xv 10) — K/.ukiel was commended to cry

and howl< — L'zk.xxl. L2, — end Amos was taken from a lowly
pursuit, end contrary to hi^ own wishes, to be a prophet. — (.inn*
i. 1 and vii 14.)

.1 tina.li, in ati< id the disagreeable miss Tying

in the streets of Nineveh, and of proclaiming its destruction, was
;akeii in his flight by the judgment of God, and severely pun •
ished : end Moeee who did and suffered so much, who Wae snob m
mighty instrumentality in the hands of God, was exceedingly averse
to hi^ task, and was, by his own inspired testimony, the meekest
men in all the earth. — (JVstai xii. 3.)

When God reveals a duty to the conscience cf any one, the per-
8on BO informed cannot avoid what is commanded without danger to
himself and to his household ; end the very fact that he knows what
ought to be done is conclusive evidence that he is oalled to try to
gee to its accomplishment. Christ himself tells us that he came not
itablish peace, but a BWOfd on earth ; that he came to kindlo a
. and that his followers must not be deterred from duty by the
persecutions pf the visible Church, nor by the opposition and en-
mity of their own households The prospect of strife in the nearest
and dearest relations of life, was not to deter any one from a faith-
ful obedience to the Master's commands • and these teachings should
eoine home to the conscience of the christian with more power
than at former periods.

lie is always in danger when he refuses to see aud obey them ;
but now his true position is revealed with terrible distinctness. All
bis dearest temporal interests are at stake : the fate of a great and
bed nation is trembling in the balance.
Every day he is reminded of bin duty by the cries of thousands
made desolate by the dreadful issues of battle : every' hour his
- are overwhelmed with awful evidences of the call of God
lii iii His bleeding countrymen turn their yearning eyes to
now he will answer Jehovah's appeals; and tho whole land
and trembles while Ghod pleads the conditions of His cove-
hear christian, wherever and whoever you are, arise from
your fatal lethargy — behold the fearful realities which surround
'you. oome out from your retirement of ease, and for yourself, your
kindred and your country, take hold of those mercies which are as
u sure as the heavens' established course."

OF NATIONAL TtllALS. 151

'CHAPTER VIII.
Special obligation*, continued. — Duties oj the whole population.

People of tlio Confederate States of America ; I now address my-
•self to all of you, of every class and profession.

God has cast our lot in a glorious land : we have for inheritance
a country containing more natural resources than any other, under
the sun.

Above all this is a land of brave men and of virtuous women ; ;;
land chiefly endeared to us for the sake of a society which has blos-
somed with displays of the higher attributes of man.

Until very recently the whole face of this society presented a
scene of soft repose, of peace, security and comfort without a paral-
lel in the history of the world ; but what is our condition now ?

We are begirt with fire on every side : the atmosphere is heavy
with the smoke of battle, and hordes of ruthless plunderers are en-
camped on many of our fairest provinces.

The whole horizon is lighted up with the red glare of war, and
every family and every individual is made to feel that God has laid
a chastening hand upon the nation. We are indeed profoundly
tried; and only those who are mad with that wild delirium of fa-
naticism which now has its proper home among our enemies can lift
up their heads before the Almighty, and deny that He has laid a
scourge upon us.

Your first impulses in this matter were correct i the glorious
Giver of our blessings is angry with us, and He is, with awful em-
phasis, calling us to repentance for past offences

He has seen an accursed thing among us ; and He will refuse to
settle us peaceably and securely in this delightful land until we
have put away our abominations.

This was the instinctive feeling of us all when the clouds began
to darken in our horizon ; and this universal sentiment was a mer-
ciful admonition from Him who now rides upon the whirlwind ami
directs the storm.

It was, therefore, our duty to go forward at once to the moral
work required, without waiting for the whole Church to lead: to
meet the machinations of the Wicked One u Wt met the first move
ment of our human assailants, by n spontaneous and a general rally
in the direction of danger.

SCnil'TlDAI. VHWI

I . .

, to

-ins,
. be.
hful in:- . Id the

■
I it in tl
u ■ '' ■' I ■ . ' >p mid f

ttle.
the word

. tiled to repentai ■
I
f the nineteenth century of christian ]
and from our infancy we have enjoyed. the instruction of

riob in all the learning of the past.

n the cntirb Church : wo

the wholi

I, epeakifl ] own lang

which we all can understand.
All the inspired prophets, bistori ntles are our I

0 ; Hii self | by ' pture* of Truths is'mr loader, a; •

is He who eallfl to as and to (he fJhurch alike to amend our v,
"Surely the Lord Gi»d will do n' -. ■■■■;: B

unto His servant- the prophets," ! not iii 7 :) Hil infallible
Word will rc.'.ch \is all tin; ;ard to tlio dispensations of His

Providence which it is proper fof men bo know.
It baa made the way of His judgments exceedingly plain ; ami no
with a BiUfl in his hand, and v'lieh he is alio to read, can for
a, n in.d«ubt as* to the* origin and uses of nation ions

and'Ti -ait in natural i dm nee more ine^

! than t li • D : '■■'"' IB th«-rc . proposi-

atary mat! in J gard to

whioh God enun< d which all biafc)*) proves, namely :

aess exalteth a nation : but sin is a reproael

■■■ . XIV. 8 1 I

. ad certain arc all the teachings oi that infallible
I in this work; and there is no'difficulty anywhere in
the u;. . rd to uGU but in ourselves.

linighty, and ile is perfectly holy; and the whole crea-
tion is subject mediate, special and eternal control.

If then Hi.- \ wlinite and His justice perfect, why do wc

.-alter '( I- it ibvious t! ■ •■ been and are offenders?

If this be BO; will we hesitate to turn from our errors?

OP NATIONAL TRIALS. 153

If we are, as a nation,.obedient to the commands of Jehovah, who
can harm us ?

If God be for us, who can be against us ? Can the wrath of man
thwart the justice of Omnipotence 1 Can the elements of nature
resist the will of Him who created all things by the word of His
power ? Can hell and earth combined mar the plans of Him who
has determined the bounds of all animate and inanimate agencies ?

Suppose our creature foes do rage and imagine a vain thing : can
they injure those whom Jehovah would hide under the covert of
His wings ?

What has been the invariable result when God has arisen, in the
past, to save the meek of the earth ? What is the testimony of the
Psalmist?

" The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep : and
none of the men of might have found their hands.

At thy rebuke, 0 God of Jacobs both the chariot and horse are
cast into a dead sleep.

Thou, even thou, art to be feared : and who may stand in thy

sight w' i ii mice thou art angry? Surely the wrath of man shall

praise dice : the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." — (Ps,
lxxvi. 5-7, 10.)

Such ever have been and ever will be the thoughts of all who see
In their true light, the ways of Divine Providence — and such shall
be our rejoicing if we will but heed lessons that are as plain as the
sun in the Heavens.

God is unchangeable : He is the same Being to-day that He was
when the prophets spake His Word.

He li\*es and reigns : He is at this moment governing, by His
opposeless power, the whole creation that has sprung from His will.

Every event that is now transpiring, from the motions of the
myriads of shining worlds that revolve through the amplitude of
space, to the actions of the smallest insect that crawls in the dust of
the earth, is the subject of his special notice and care; and the
great revolution in human affairs in which we are actors is as di
rectly under His management as if it were the sole subject of His
government.

His eye is on us every moment : and in all the countless eventu-
alties of this terrible upheaving there is not an incident, from the
silent tear-drops of the poor and obscure widow, to the battle that
shakes the continent and fills ten thousand breasts with anguish,
but is watched and controlled by the Infinite Mind.

He is able, ready, and willing to cause these troubles to end : and

20

154

-'•lm-rt-RAr, ViBWfl

n ^ourselves- ,1(] tnke >ioM .,

~J*>f5b owi appointment, He will say tothe
rtormy element*, •!• ....>.. ..m r

ountrymen, will you not be beal
"Come, and let us return unto the Lord i for Be b*fh torn; and
fftwill heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind u*<np •>
^ 6 have not to wait for . loader ; our BMes wifl Street 01 fa

' av ire should go.

I. We must hembh ourselves under the mighty nand of God-
: have fallen by our own iniquities.

fc*, With continued and earnest prayer, seek for thc
■ it onf -alamities, in our past sins, an'd in the present condi-
tion of our hearts ; and be ready to give ourselves freely to any re*
formation demanded by the Wprd of God.

3. Wc must not dictate the mode and time « f our deliverance i
wc must be ready to sacrifice all pride, all predilection, all

rished Bins at the Divine Command.

4. We must repudiate all hope of gaining the favor'of Heaven by
;;iere work of our hands while our hearts are evil.

The chosen Chief of the Nation, in the faithful exercise of Ml
functions, calls on us, from time to time, to devote special days to
fasting, humiliation and prayer ; but we totally misapprehend thv
meaning und spirit of theee solemn appeals when wc suppose that
we, ure cxpootod to humble ourselves only on the appointed days.

These recommendations constitute all that can be done by the
political head of the people, to direct in their spiritual exercises:
they are intended to foster proper habits, and special days and spc
«ial ucts are suggested that their public, universal, and solemn ob-
■STvanoe may have the more influence in fixing upon the minds of
all. the great religious truths bearing on our condition.

The high and juBt object of those calls is defeated when we un-
dertake to conciliate Heaven by mere abstinence from food on stated
OHi'riono ; and certainly, we act with supreme folly when we sup-
pose that by refusing to eat for one day, we lay God. under obliga-
tions. It is equally a perversion of these recommendations, to hum-
ble, or try to humble ourselves on one day, and then to return with
renewed energy to all our sinful ways : and all sach conduct is con-
trary te the spirit of the President's proclamations, and an insult to
that Holy God, whose intervention in our behalf we would secure.

Wi cannot fast always in body — nor can we observe every day
as one of public humiliation and social prayer ; but we ought to do
what it is in the heart or our chief magistrate to see us engaged in,

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 155

to clothe our spirits in humility before God, to bear about in our
hearts a continual sense of our unworthiness in the sight of Heaven,
%nd to turn with persistent strivings from all our errors.

The bodily fasting is intended to be a sign and promoter of in-
ward grief for sin ; and the devotion of certain days to public mani-
festations of repentance to impress forcibly on the public mind the
necessity of a general reformation.

It is expected by those who proclaim these fasts that they will be
a meats of commencing a permanent work of good : that they will,
in fact, but be a means to an end, and not the end itself. . There-
fore, they who content themselves with a mere outward observance
of the appointed days, have in reality added to their former sins —
just as those who try to be religious on the sabbath, and are openly
wicked on every other day, are the farthest off from the true king-
derm of Heaven.

5. God says, " At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation,
and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to
destroy it:

If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their
evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." —
(Jer. xviii. 7-8.)

This truth is as certain as the existence of Him who spake it •
and it affords a sure, unfailing hope to every afflicted people.

There never was an exception to this rule since the world began,
and there never will be while nations exist ; and God will begin to
be merciful at the very instant that the nation turns from its evil
way.
* The almighty Sovereign is unchangeable ; and the rules of Hifl
gracious dealings are as fixed as His own eternal existence.

With Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning; and the
course of His judgments and mercies is established on the immova-
ble foundations of His own being.

All the attributes of His nature forbid that He should be angry,
for a moment, with those who have placed themselves in the ap-
pointed channel of His favor; He cannot do otherwise than heal all
who take bold of His strength.

In one direction, His look is fixed with an eternal smile — in an-
ther He U always a consuming fire.

But poor, erring mortals are very likely to stumble at the word
': instant " — for they ore apt to think that God will and must help
them when they begin to wish He would.

Let me admonish you, my countrymen, of the vanity of such

156 * scriptural ntwi

hopes : permit inc earnestly to call your attention to a vital consid-
eration in this matter. A people maj he for months and years cry-
ing to Heaven without securing its aid ; and it U not hocau.se dtid
I not hear, hut because they have not, in fact, turned in heart
and action, from the errors which have brought down Ills displeasure.
1 1 . ;i r what lie Himself says of a people who thought they had af-
flicted their souls before Him :• "I hearkened and heard, but they
spake uoj aright. No man repented him of his wickedness, laying,
What have I done ? every one turned to his course, as the bone
rusheth into the battle.

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times ; and
the turtle, and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their
coming ; hut my people know not the judgment of the Lord.

How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us?
Lo, certainly in vain made he it ; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken : lo, they
have rejected the word of the Lord ; and what wisdom is in them ?
Therefore, will I give their wives to others, and their fields to
them that shall inherit them : for every one from the least even
unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even
unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace ; when there is no peace" — [Jer. viii.
0-11.)

Here we are made plainly to understand, First, that God hears
and hearkens, listens attentively when any one cries to Him, and
never fails to mark the purport of his words and thoughts.

Secondly, That words avail nothing, when the fixed purposes, tfie
secret leanings of the heart, and their corresponding actions speak
a different language.

Thirdly, That the rule of God's judgments is as certain as the
laws of Nature, and that they who are instructed by His word ought
to be led as surely and as invariably by it to their own best inter-
ests as irrational animals are carried, by infallible instinct, to ful-
fil the law of their being.

Fourthly, In every case of national calamity, the people suffer,
because the law of God speaks in vain : it opens a plain way of
safety, hut it is rejected by those who profess to- heed it.

Fifthly, The hurt of the country will not be healed merely be-
cause it cries for peace — and it will not be cured until there is a
real reformation of the errors which caused it.

This is eternal and immutable truth, whether we receive it or

OF NATIONBL TRIALS. 157

not ; aud though we have prayed long and earnestly to God, He has
not yet heard, in the thoughts of our hearts and the course of our
actions, the petitions which He has sworn by Himself, shall secure
His favor.

Let me, then, implore you to heed the solemn lessons which our
unavailing prayers teach us: let me remind you that every whisper
has been heard, but that every secret instinct and every action have,
also, been seen and marked.

The simple but great fact is that God has not failed to hear, but
we have not spoken aright ; and we are, therefore, the more im-
pressively called on to look into our hearts, to ask for light, to pray
first of all and most of all to be instructed as to our sins, and to be
able to forsake them.

This is a call made upon all : it sounds loudly from the scenes of
carnage where the chivalry of our land lies in gory beds, it whispers
to our hearts through the thousand trials and sorrows that invade
every circle, and it speaks with a tongue of fire from the living
Word to which we turn our hopes.

Every fact of our situation admonishes us that we have not yet
spoken to God aright ; and in such a case it is the plain dictate of
reason to enquire what it is that we should do that we have not
done, and what actions we should forsake. In this primary and ab-
solutely essential work every one should engage : there is one word
of instruction open to all, "one source of light and life accessible to
high and low, to the ignorant and the learned.

When God created the world, light was the first day's work ; and
now, if we would save our country, let us pray for Divine guidance
in the task.

We have all approached the mercy seat with too much confidence
in ourselves; we have not only come to the throne of grace without
true repentance in our hearts, but we have never felt as we ought,
our need of Divine direction. If we have undertaken to repent, it
has been with the belief that we knew what it was that we had to
turn from.

We have not asked the Divine aid in selecting sins vor
sacrifice : we havk qom into our folds, and taken what we
could best afford t(i m'are.'

Professing to know that Jehovah has called on ua for a burnt of-
fering, we have not sought his directions aS" to the victims : but we
ourselves have chosen such as we thought would be bleating, I
burnt offering to God, and when men so act they are sure to flatter
themselves that Heaven is best satisfied with what they can most
easily give.

158 SCRIPTURAL \ IEWS.

IIcnre,c(irh one has taken the tin he it least imRnedto or fccl.< least
Interest in, and has lashed it and branded it irith great parol' before
G'oJ and man ; and rack one has hidden at— jf M Ml hrart and </c-
ttfai the very offence that the Divim juttUe i» demanding,

Dear countrymen aud friends, permit me to speak plainly to you,
for I speak in the name of your best interests: if God demand-
neri^M of Wj it is //w place and not 0W» to designate the victim.

We must go up to the mount where we are called to devotion a.*
Abraham went into the land of Moriafa : we must go prepared t
..ft"er up what is as dear to us as was Isaac, the heir of promise, to
the father of the faithful.

Let us all, then, begin our religious work anew : let us, every oue,
put the knife to our pride, acknowledge our first error, and come to
God with an humble and honest desire to be taught by Him in re-
gard to our offences, and with a firm reliance on His aid to enable
us to devote to the slaughter whatever He may direct. Let us ask
His aid in setting forth ft catalogue of our sins : let us ask for help.
to see wherein it is that we need repentance, and for grace to do and
suffer whatever is required.

This is the first step to safety ; it is the foundation of all true
reformation.

Will not every one enter on it without delay ?

It is not to be undertaken in any formal way : it is to be accom
plished through prayer, self-examination, and the study of the Di-
vine Oracles. All can read, all can hear when the Word is read
all can meditate, all can pray.

0 that there was a heart for this te every inhabitant of this devo-
ted land'T that from the Potomac to the Rio-Grande, the great ab-
sorbing thought of all would be, "Why is the Almighty displeased
with this people? what are my sins ? what is demanded of me 9
what can /do to appease the Divine wrath ?"

When such reflections fill the breast of the soldier otfij^is mid
night watch, in camp, on the march, and in the 6hock of battle
when they occupy the minds alike of the farmer in' his fields, the
mechanic in his shop, the statesman in his cabiuet, and the minister
in the sacred desk — when all tho people of this great aud suffering
nation, prompted by such reflections, turn anxiously to the Source
of Truth, to the Infallible Word, and to secret, earnest and impor-
tunate prayer, then will be the beginning of the end, then shall the
long looked for morning dawn brightly and sweetly on this dark
night of horrors !

" Then," oh dear Confederacy, "shall thy light break forth as the

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 159

morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy
righteousness shall go before thee : the glory of the Lord shall be
thy rearward.

, Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer : thou shalt cry.
and he shall say, Here I am." — 7s. lviii, 8, 0.

6. We are a christian nation : that is, we have been instructed by
the Word of God, and we profess to receive it as the only source of
Truth.

We invoke the aid of the God of the Bible ; and we rely on it for
our defence in regard to the charges brought against us by those
who, on these grounds, would exterminate us from the earth.

The Holy Scriptures are, therefore, our witness, and we cannot
receive and reject their testimony to suit our pleasure.

If we invoke what they say in one place, for our defence, we must
Teceive and be judged by all their evidence : and hence we are bound
by our own conduct, more than any other people on earth, to honor
the whole Word of God, and to live as individuals and as a nation
according to its precepts.

.We lay the corner stone of our social system on this Word : we
are, therefore, bound to construct the whole edifice according to its
directions.

It is in one cardinal point, our only political text-book — and this
being so, we trifle with Jehovah if we reject its authority in those
matters which we think do not suit us.

In our controversy with the nations about slavery we summon the
Word of God to the witness stand ; and thus, like the Jews of old,
we have as a nation, solemnly bound ourselves to take this as our
national chart and covenant.

The people of the Confederate States are, therefore, each ar, d all
pledged even in a way different from all other political communities,
to see the Bible disseminated, studied, reverenced and obeyed.

This is, also, a work in which all can engage ; and more than any
other people, each individual of the nation is required to see the
spirit of Divine Truth reflected in the laws of the land.

Every one is bound to *' search the Scriptures;" and every one is
under obligations which none can throw off, to judge himself, to
judge others and to judge society by the whole counsel of God.

If we are, as individuals or as an organized society, living in open
violation of any of the teachings of the IMvine Word, we are more
guilty than any other people : we have literally fehoeefl Gtoi fir our
King, and if we disobey any of nis commands we are traitors to our
own elected Government.

160 SCRIPTURAL VITWS

It is of the flrst importance tbat we should all, immediately
practically, realize thii great fact of <>ur position ; and whether «re
are willing to receive it or not, it still remains and will enter a- a
'rons (lenient into the balances which weigh our national char-
acter.

And it must be remembered that no individual can say that he

has been true in his allegiance to Divine Truth if he has not made

any effort to restrain others from treason : for every one is called on

tr» see the law obeyed, and to tolerate its infraction is to be a party

to it.

Laws, or at all events, their execution, will generally be but the

outward reflection of the inward character of the people; and if this

is so of civil Government, it will certainly be true of social manners

and customs.

The people of the Confederate States thus occupy, by their own
choice, a high but fearfully responsible position ; they have,in their
political capacity, chosen the Word of God for their judgc,and they
must stand or fall by its decisions.

Those who feel a license to sin in all' other respects because they
have selected God as their arbiter in one particular, mock the high
and holy Majesty of Heaven ; while it is equally impious to excuse
the evil practices of society because the theory of its organization is
in accordance with the teachings of Divine Truth.

Every one of us is called on to examine his past conduct and his
present course, as a citizen and as a man, by the whole revealed will
of God — and, also, to exert himself to see that the conduct ef others
conforms to the same standard.

We have voluntarily elevated the Scriptures in judgement over
us: in how many respects do we, as individuals and as a nation, dis-
regard their injunctions and their warning!

We cannot continue to do so and expect prosperity ; the ' very
charter of our hopes denounces such expectations as supreme and

wicked folly.

Let me then speak to my countrymen in the language of Moses
when he made an end of speaking all the words concerning the prin-
ciplea mad facts of the Divine Economy towards nations which God
inspired him to teach the Israelites in a song that they might not
forget them :

" Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you
this day, ' (to wit, the whole revealed of God — ) " which ye shall
command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

For it is not a vain thing for you : because it is your life. "-Deut.
xxxii, 46, 47.

i OF NATIONAL TRIALS^ 161

By building our national System on the Divine Word as the high-
est political as well as moral authority, we have avouched the Lord
to be our God, and promised by our conduct to walk in His ways,
and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judge-
ments, and to hearken unto His voice : if we do so He will make us
high above all nations in praise, in name and in honor, but if we do
not, then shall fall upon us the fearful curses denounced in our cov-
enant of life.

7. When is the time to turn from theoffences for which the na-
tion is chastised ? Now, right now, is the proper time. There can
be no better opportunity : possibly no other occasion will ever be
offered. . «

We trifle with God when we promise future reformation ; we im-
peach His character when we contend that when He corrects us He
places us in such circumstances that we cannot amend our ways.
We are indeed in the midst of terrible events ; but can any exi-
" gency in human affairs suspend the Government of God, or elevate
any duty above the obligation to serve and obey Him ?

W.e riftnn hear the remark that when the war is over and better
times Luv«j come, we will, as men and as christians, as a Church and
as a people, give ourselves to needed reforms ; and no doubt there is
a general promise, in the popular heart, to see to various moral im-
provements when once we have gained our national independence.

Friends, countrymen, it is fearful to scrutinize this attitude in its
true light before a Holy God : if we really knew it, the language
which it utters impugns the wisdom and righteousness of God, ele-
vates the necessities and will of the creature above the Providences
of the creator, and is in fact one of our greatest sins.

When God, by His judgments, says now is the time to repent, we
reply that the occasion does not suit,for we have more important work
on hand : and when He says, "Do this and you shall live and pros-
per," we answer that we will first secure our life and prosperity and
then attend to His injunction.

He says, " Repent and you shall have^my favor :" we reply, —
" grant us thy forgiveness and we will repent."

He commands us to bring forth fruits meet for rcpentance,to show
that we are in earnest by our works : we claim to have become sorry
for our sins, but insist that we cannot reform our errors until tl"
Almighty has ceased to plague us for them ! "^

Is not this the true interpretation of all our promises of future
reformation ? .

And is it not in it«elf a sufficient cause for the continuance ol
our trials?

/

1 61

tlTUBAL VTIEWfl

Tt

m...
D v.rN ?

Beaid -. I: *, woaW but rchVt, «rC Would plainly see that

If «rc .Till B • turn from our offences while adversity brings then,
* mine], will WC be likelj f« do it when prosperity hashardencd on-

OUV

e, ;,re novr „ ,ro favorahl I - forma than they will
probably nrer be again : |deed,no people ever had bettor opportn-
titles for modeling the whole machinery of Society according to the
• of Divine Truth,
our ybiihg" Ktpublkhjs been born of the convulsions pcoat
by a question which its founders refer wholly to the teach ing
H ily Scriptare as the only binding authority ; and thus the stal
solemnly pledged t* »ec-r:pt the who].. \Vord of God a* it.- ml,

tt off from intercourse with all foreign influences ; au«l
'• :- oan we legislate or labor in Society with such perfect

)I I - ■•-m the out side pretsure i r.erted on all the Stat-

;ld*
" i any temporal power

cart1 • r-" • are fcr by-no treaties or commercial regulat

W I i " • s by no •"■ ' : »ign courts, and are free I

Che ti of foreign though* penetrating the national heart and

•• i ••■!♦' periodical! and the intei-

oeurBC of trade.

The great tragedy in which we ttrG acting has stimulated the no-
tloiK'l ujiud to unwontod energy, and prepared it to take earnest and
jraoth ! hold of great and salutary truths: sectarian, party and
jtot ml barriers are borne down by the pressure of the grand event*
mi the times, and there is less internal strife in the nation than ther<
awol kbly cvet will be agftin lb our history as a free and indepen-
ople
The fierce, incendiary assaults upon our city, has, as it were.
IffOUght all the inhabitants together, high and low, bond and free 4
Jsa one house: all former prejudices are now forgotten, and every
wuud is exorcLsod with the ono mastering thought for the common
imfcty.

If we canuot now make our laws, our literature.* our course of
Sawtice, our educational systems, our social institutions and habitf?
ti«d our religious exertions reflect more purely the spirit of the Gos-
tpel, then we never can by the mere aid ol opportunities: and it if
Came for erery one to wake up to this solemn truth.

Minister of the Gospel, statesman, writer, teacher, citiaen of the
(Mount ry, whoever you are that intend to exert Jyourgelf in a good

OP NATIONAL TRIALS.

I6&

work to put your country right before God, now, now:, now, is the
time for you to act: this Is God's time and, therefore, tho best that-
will over agaiu occur.

It is not only unsafe to delay, it is sinful : this is the day, this
the hour when every one who intends to servo God in tho promotion
of reforms in society, is called by the voice of IIeaven> and by tit
wail of a bleeding nation to come forward to tho work.

Now is the time to preach 'he glorious gospel to full audiences ot
earnest men and women who come together to hear what God SSj'ft/
and not the discussions of jarring sectaries ; now is the time to wrifc<
good books which all will read who can lay their hand* upon thcrcu
now is the time by systems of schools, common as the dows of Hoai-
en, to prepare against popular ignorance, vice and beggary, now r^
the time to banish inQdel literature from the schools, to expunge
unjust laws from the statute book, to denounce oppression and rob-.'
bery, to hunt up and expose moral abuses, to apply the bufe to ©t-
ery sore of society.

And now, my dear countrymcu, will you go forward iu the D»tt
of duty, of safety, and of glory ?

•

„»♦»'

SCRIPTURAL VIEWS

0 P

NATIONAL TRIALS

^LUT III.

SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO THE SINS FOR WHICH THE PEOPLE
OP THE CONFEDERATE STATES ARE SUFFERING.

CHAPTER !!•

General reflections.

An important element in the work of reformation is the knowl-
edge of sins to be repented of ; and whatever tends to lead to such
discovery on the part of an afflicted people is an aid to their deliv-
erance.

How is a nation to be made aware of the offences for which it is
scourged ?

The first step in this direction is that general consciousness of sin
which all who are smitten of God ought to feel ; and when the mind
of a chastened creature is brought to this condition, and is prepared
to ask for light in an humble, submissive and penitential mood, it
will not fail to discover the errors from which the leadings of Prov-
idence would turn it.

This first step is the most difficult of all : indeed, when it is takcu
the work of reformation and deliverance is more than half accom-
plished.

It is very hard for the carnal heart to say with David, " I wa*
dumb, I opened not my mouth ; because Thou didst if.

Remove Thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow
of Thy hand."— (P>. xxxix. 9-10.)

1(J6 MMVTUmAIi VIKWS

Still the answer of those vrho are to be healed of Hod wheu He
smites th< u» is that of the Psalm:-:, and. of Job, when the Almighty

rebuked him : " Behold, 1 am vile ; what shall I answer Thee ? I

will lay niy hand upon my mouth.'' — {Job xl !

" I have heard of Thee by the hearing of tho car ; but now mine

rye hath .-••en Thee

Wherefore I abhor mi/sdf, and repent in dust and ashes." — (Job

dii. 6-6.)

All the inhabitants of a christian land, like that of the Confed-

rate States, have heard of God by the hearing of the car ; for the

• ii. -lit of Bttch all the prophets and inspired men of old have writ-

;ind before them all tho centuries of the past recite their in-

rnoi iv>' lessons.

They have had in their bends th. whole counsel of God ; and now
• Being speak* to them by the audible and awful voice of

(lis Providence.

Their eye* now sec Ilia ways in the path* of His judgments— and
if they Me prepared to be healed, they will feel and confess their
vileness, and in a spirit of perfect submission and honesty, listen to

i.ear what is commanded.

Ttiere is no ueed of a uew prophet ; we, my beloved countrymen,
have a sure word of prophecy amply sufficient; we aro not of the
,.i^ht, hut of the day, and should not sleep or be drunken a:j those
who have no light.

If we receive our afflictions with the right spirit, we will l.now
and confeso that we are sinners, and th;it God is correcting u- for
,yur offences ; and when wc aro brought to this frame of mind,
will at once ncgin to search our hearts and our past lives ui the
I our calamities.

mills oaiied to make this examination : wi are rc-
■m tuf dispositions aud cuodutii as professed

... 1 judges, as citiiens of a republic control
j I ..-ti is and as members of society, by I nd-

I , \ .. :.nd rightttousuwsa which ha- been in

. icb has been faithfully expounded &j i .
the country.

review everything for which w. re r>
.•,p.,- individuals — the character .of our

and the ma mer :ecutioo, t tie conduct and Spirit

orffanizal - aanajgeinent of that c la.-- ■ hum

we hold in bondagi . and our individual acj and torn pert,

and the nunc of mind with which we have received tho countless
blessings of Providonco in the past.

OP NATIONAL TRIO.?. H>7

If the whole population, feeling that the stroke of God is on U
for sin, will humbly, honestly and earnestly turn its thoughts in
this way, submissively and pentiently seeking Divine direction, the?)
will the end of these afflictions be near at hand.

All inspiration tells us this : every prophet that God has sept to
the nations proclaims this truth for our special benefit, and all the
promises and attributes of Jehovah arc bound for its fulfilment

Will we not remember the days of old, the works of the Lord and
His wonders in tha past, the displays of the power, truth, justice
and mercy of God from the beginning of the world ? will we not
hear His own voice speaking to us from two mountains on either
side of us, from the one denouncing curses and from the other bless-
ings?

I> is both the duty and the interest of the afflicted nation to be-
gin this work at once — and it is not to be deferred for the fear of
tho world's ridicule or taunts. Enemies may rage and jeer — but it
will be with the inward sinking of those who know that the prey
ha« escaped from the snare, whieh they had laid.

In making this examination we ought to talk freely with each
other : " Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to anoth-
er : and the Lord hearkened, and heard it: and a book of remem-
brance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and
that thought upon His name.

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day when
I make up my -jewels ; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his
own son that scrveth him.

Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and tbr
wicked, between him that serveth God and him that scrveth Him
not."— {Mai iii. lG-l*.)

Here is a clear test of those who serve the Lord.
times of degeneracy and trouble : the interest
Kingdom, the honor of God, and the promotion of His • ur\
the first place in their thoughts, and this common bond drawa them
often together to talk of the matters nearest to their hearts.

No doubt, one cause of the continuance and complication of our
troubles is the failure of the christian element of society to seek out
each other, and to taltc together of the condition and prospects of
the Church ; for this failure indicates that there are feelings in pro-
fessors stronger than the love of Christ, while it has a bad effect on
the world, and prevents those discoveries and that hopeful and en-
ergetic action which follow from free communion, and mutmal coun-
sels and encourngements 01 the part of those engaged in a common
enterprise.

1 68 & K 1 1 T l HAL VIEW-"

According t.i tbe theory of the Church, it* uu-mher.s ore 8tr*tyg< n

and pilgrims on earth, citizens bf a foreign or Heavenly kingw
and if their feelings and actions corresponded with this theory, they
would, when • mvulsions occurred in the land of their sojourn, draw
instinctively together, and their first thoughts being of the country
which they represented, they would try to shape a common course,
and one most conducive to its honor and interests.

Sudden revolutions are most likely to display our strongest in-
stincts: when our house is unexpectedly wrapt in flames, our fir^t
thoughts are for those things which we value most. At such times
common interests and common sympathies overmaster all minor dif-
ferences, and the ruling sentiment creates a brotherhood of feeling
and a cooperation of action ; and such a spontaneous movement to-
wards a central and common object of most tender solicitude, ought
to have been witnessed among all the nominal followers of Ohrig.
when the American troubles began.

It is not too late to talk together of His kingdom ; there is and
has been in many a heart a yearning to unfold itself to others of kin-
dred sympathies. •,

To aid in right reflections and actions, I venture, in the spirit of
•hristian love, to suggest topics for consideration ; and I do it not
U one commissioned to tell my countrymen what their offences are,
but from those motives with which we are commanded to confess
<>ur faults one to another, and to aid each other, and our kindred
and people to escape from the revealed wrath of God, in the way oi
His own appointment.

1 :-x::-'\:,i 160

t n a «' -r E i: ii.

Old On:] \tes. — The discovery of the Continent ana

the se'tth ! mparalleled prosperity of North America,

alone to tin Providence of Go J, universally treated in a way to
'cal infidelity.

It is more than possible that the people of the Confederate Spates
indulge in a radical error in regard to their responsibility for the
-ins nl" the country of which they once formed :>■ part.

\\ a they .severed their connection with the political organism
knpv ; ..'■ the United States, they did not thereby become discharged
from moral penalties previously incurred by the population id'
eounl ry,

[f God was displeased with itiou for its iii.ral char-

acter, Hi9 righteous displeasure will cot be appeased by a mere
sal relations; and the oun.-equences of their sin.- will
pur.-: parties into every new form of Government which

. may adopt, until they manifest a sincere repentance.

Political mutations do nojt discharge moral obligations: if they
did, then the justice of Heaven would depend on the will ol
creature-.

The c part id' the old United States exercised a very ini-

ant intra " be policy aud character of the who! ■ country ;

from the .lave States came a very large majority of the Presidents
of the Republic : they furnished a large portion of the* leading ex-
id their representatives had great influence, for
many years, in shaping the action of Congress.

The States of the new Confederacy must, therefore, share in the
guilt of the old government of which they were integral members ;
and the wry manner in which these constituent parts w"ith-drcw
their 1 q from the United States, proves thi !tion.

Iudi D did not, in* heal t or word, protest against the ini-

quities of the land, am! themselves from the consequences

bj forsaking the country; but political communities, in their organ-
■ ////. and for political reasons, were the actors in th- rtvofw
lion which ("■ r< d. It was not a forsaking of the whole country
and of it . by citizt. re moral agents : but

it we lution of the country by ■• withdrawal of a portion of

;ln units which - eminent, each political

no

vilWt

' I « U iividaalp, w.-r

J i

t

ling ••

' •' whiol

art •
min«

r ' IB V arrayed ia

- I iiion
.
them than . ey have

to do

d earring

I b be

" I ••:■, if
• lrgr

t r-

md hi mce.

'P' il : i _

., folio wi :ire »ub-

■aitied to hh eonsiderati

Pn unparelle &t-

i . biitory

xxnl ■ ■ .. feelings

^ • lelity ; and indeed the

Hrhole I

|v(^ | ntradic-

(.

at,. underlying truth of Iplessneei

^,U( -ineiple and feeling

Jhfteiy I by unexampled pro ^c^

fro the perverting ol

T! '" '"J

ilii., . u the human race : it is in r of

nreut f-i of an immense part of the earth'*

LlUTl„ f by its mi lligent inhabitants, for

ikoaiands of j ars, and plainly indii | of man'i

iHumbliugo'. • obvio a . ■ ' aee them

■ftn the fulfilment i f His wise designs, kmerlea was held back from

6f NATIONAL TRlAU

the thoughts of philosophy until God was ready to open it up as a»
Asylum for the advocates of a free Bible, afcd the christianizatioM
•f a large portion of the darkest region of the earth ; and when the
discovery was made it was by a person who received no countenance
from the philosophy and enterprise of a learned and commercial ago,
and who was indel ted for the means of his voyage, not to the sagac-
ity o; I to the .simple faith of woman'.

Even the dUcbverer had little idea of what was before him: be
W5S • . new Continent but a short p>»sp;;tje to an old one,

d well said, "the pursuit > - • «. -•<
■•'',"

ttlement di a large pomori d! new region

*?ary to all human foresight and arrangemi ;.t ; the first cx-

rietors of North America were i. - pursuit ot

the. precious minerals and the a ^ the gorgeous east,'r

* ■ utterly blind to what after circumstances proved to bo the

real advai Irv.

ous states! I scholars of Europe, men whose

■■ ^vised political, moral and muni-

"V ^ t€* settlements, all of which proved utter and

ruinous failures; and the permanent institution, 0f the countrj

i rebornofthei Provident, of God, called acefdenta arnl

and not of the lea,

•'• British Colonies fir

h(iil »f throwii »r allegiance; and when they did

a free aiid independent i
a seven years' struggle without having tl

fa demo.

d0i' • aodtheprob

';caIs^t'; ' I before tha

ican on.

tide of hu

chat a litni-

> whom the people

U not

ten

■

!

w in reality tl r glorj,

--. .J, it mmt

I

Clinton i B

oown in |
titution v

•
*li"Ti fill I >rld with the written and

man.

duel
tui
whole Lil '. . - universal burden, "The C

!:•■ Werld." This infid
the [ • >[»le f> th rth ;

achieved :i new era In trie history of t'.io hum;:'

■

refor of the world wei pend <

good md learning, «rhile

f the cvi'1

t lie
• lifted itself up as a new gospel to
'.tiling of Beaven, and falls
ruin on the heads of th< rated ital

,ch reared it.

' ' to fill the earth with dark

the peopl ' true Mm, and lk-

' -juries of their own kind;:

'i": of the wprldj the si ill

illusi bed nations

will be in I .•"• r condition to turn to Hii . and t" (!:«' conditii as oi

Tl ffoful dei I ruotioo i hag>pv

inent ; bn vast ruins :v per: ror

and
heal;1 '" will Bpi

-'!'' thi wisdom and

!
ritj and
liappi he people.

NATION^!. '1 R1AI

The depravity of mati was ever i.n the ^?.\ of nil the good n

irred; bui the All-wise Disposer was continually di«
ices, contrary to-all human foresight, tb the benefi-
i :i.t ends which filled the world with

]!m all this teachiug.was perverted- -American history Was a great
Pantheisti Ic where in is daily burned* at a thousand

:;> I shriues — the American idea was a grand falseni od, .-Lt t ) il>nti nir
totho theories and forms of government the virtues of the oauscs
from Whichrjthese forms ami »pr mg, claiming foi tin civili*

- •' M of the ; power bo ''■■^■>v and su tain the very Truths

from which all the good characteristics of that civilization flowed.

i mercy^o the world, God left man for a moment to
himself, ihd at that period iii history when he could profit most by
sperience if the past, by the universal diffusion of learning, by
'the most useful and beneficent arte, and by the mosl perfect forma,
the Truth' of Revelation receives another aw-
•id impressive demonstration in the instant tall mro

ilii.- ! ifty heights, with ir receivable ruin and combustion, down
ife, carnage, slavery, want and wretchedness.
■ rt the very institutions to which he attri-
buted all his pros y, to purposes of oppression and robbery; and

;ipe from his political connection, he
\ revolu . th( rj and spiril of his government to

■ hi i own passion for c >i q u - , sj oliation, murder and ra-

pinc.
And thus, the continent but a few . ^ wiling like the gar-

ue vi ide » ition — and j

ile looked to over the who has godlike, with every ad-

Tart and experii proi per-

oifV, • ilthy, the most abouudii ery material and

. it all useful ai I . -ace

' n ry proudest day

• ted mad-men, put.

:• the immediate destruc*

11 tl . and hurr; nth amaz-

n civilisation to
hfae ! iity.

li

iffer

i 7 I

•

ion in 'he granJ
and Via ■/, thai I

,j' a tent, that justice and in/VBl

- i . . . • . u I rcjU'

■

i public iid all

i , - . [spring

philosophy of I j I _ i ind sgeu< raey :

(he Confederate States •)
pare thorn fur greati
nta — they most mourn over thi

that their former glorying in max

.

I uilosophj whio] their nature,and

--
,-only illi d goodness of G I th*

_

■ i e allowed i>> in-

wliiv.ii h like a. dr.

inheiSal
of fallen o

when
I God aiul

iKt.i' i 11 i i liar.

M . in hi i natura r tature everjj-

. i i tK • \ il ■ and is

i h i in in th and mad in rumerit of

is, it is thi Qoblii g iufiu-

Brhl I na>

tural le

under th as of

A.tnerica, to leai • past hisl >rj is Q-od's; but

>] will be h ipelessly ruined.

Of HATlu.N.'.L TRJAU*. 175

The repudiation of Goi and confidence in man is the'eaoae of the
awful tragedy now being enacted : the abasing of the creature, ai i
the just exaltation of the source of every good and perfect gift, will
lead all concerned to eveD a more happy state tin dition of

the pasf.

//' >.: forms of i ,-.■■■,

pie, thcii w ' omc the victims of a cruel* and ur
whether they <:thj>t a republican, Monarchical <<r imperial ay stem:
thfi heart of the nation is, to any targe extent* purijied by the </■
of Christ) the condition of the masses will be upward \wurd

• y&hat nwninal character of their politically

And the doctrine of human depravity must- ho practically fclt>
*ud en.'. legitimate result*; it must he applied tw no-

tions as we! > individual:-, to our own people as well as to for-

eigners, i 'icrs and to our children, M men in republics

men in monarchies, to the voters in a free democracy, to the •
tors in an oligarchy, to the dictators- or kings, or emperors in ab*
solute p.nvcrs. %

We must expect error, frailty, passion, prejudice and folly
innate characteristics .of unconverted men in all social conditions,
and in every political system : to be ruling elements .:-
civilized nature, in every unsanctified depository of hui -ver.

whether it he an individual, a select few, or the whole body of citizens.

These tendencies will, of course, he greatly modified by circum-
stances; hut after all, the controlling power of even circu;, ancef
will depend on the amount of vital god lineaa in the heart of ihv
uation.
, It Is to be expected thai where the power of a sta re-

poses in the entire mass o/ citizens, there will he i abh

administration, and mo the right afl :

self-interest, in such a community, is the inter

sad the great'1 ■, earn •

ing • " bolicy, • I lict of . i ion and

prejudice, an.1 y individual

olique will be able to ry interest to il now vi<

[n addition to aH this, where, th^
all its people, ea' !; individual is :i BOrt of mirr
thcr* ;-< a free nnoovet ' errors, while

srj one's selfish pi « et a Mr^r • |

dcucies of all oth<

But such freedom cannot 1 withenl * ; ui

ower : and all the I

S< I RWi*.

«e 01 > ■*■ I 1 painful but wholesome

*

»i)i that

tl forth • '., in their

W ' : i

•i

inli.ti

I • ill bo burdened with euormt v — -t! ov will 1

t
■

. . ■ v. 166,

' 1 liiith'ir; ■ in-

make ai . ..

»

. ■'.■ potJBm which tl • j would build
npt lUties in society will rapidl;

.my poor will Ik
nqucnts will • r-failing

excu ruption, in ruelty :it

homi

I I would seem that any rational mind >'rui undent ind

but are sucb \ obvious and so convincing, of any force omoug

i lace of th< '
Wnai : it d la tho mi i •' ignoble or

the most ignorant oftheearthl ' •• .. ■• famous for their

knowledge of ■ -'lit- •

. • ••

lism | rov* lure .

To '■>■- ground i.^ to ' e guilty ■

»r thi of the < ■ them U

are the % iil-
oua despof i
• repubiicanii i i I governm

• >\:Mi ;

[f tl n republie i thi p. -. one man p follow*

. • r I if i bl< ! it not the ' ■ . i ■

man power form >«f ' roverument

lie chief autliorit; I in I ■ b i\ pftkepo< pie

OF NATIONAL TRIAL*. 177

This is equivalent to afguing that it is better to besiekthan well,
as health, if abused, leads to sickness : better never to live at all
than to enjoy life, as death will follow life.

It is time for the people of the Confederate States to discard all
this reasoning in a circle, all these transparent subterfuges of an in-
fidelity, which would account for the painful phenomena of human
existence by any absurdity rather than by the Truth j and to receive
in all theirlcnglh hi. u breadth the infallible, teachings of inspired
Writ. :

Man m depraved — raid in his natural state he is capable of any fol-
ly, of any crime, of any abomination. If leit to himself he will act
on the law of his nature as an individual, and in masses : he will do
so Hi IQ€ savage and in tbe civilized state, a ltd his own passions would
make for him a hell in any region. The uuconverted, individual
heart, is, under Satan, the source, the primary fountain of all the
abominat Ions that vex the earth : here, in the bosoms of kings, of
oligarchs, of democrats, of philosophers,of the sons of saints,martyrs,
prophets aud apostles, in every soul of man born into the world, in
whi' • ndition, of whatever parentage, however polished by

icarniii ..-. aud art, there are the seeds which, if left to themselves, i;
not eradh ated by the power of the Gospel, will ripen into those cur-
ses which till the earth with fraud, violence aud mourning.

Itis not the form oj Government that produces a gr*at raccof ma, .
it is a ../ '' of godly men that establishes /rise, just and beneficent sys-
tems.

The glorious da}? of the old Republic of the United States were
but a natural part of the fruit of those causes which raised up the
men of '76 — and the spirit of the age of '76, as far as it was good,
aud wise, and self-denying and far-sighted, was an out-growth that
had its li*ing roots in a soil not seen by the common observer, in a
former, vivifying Christianity now forgotten.

The elevated and truly heroic spirit of that first revolution, the
constitution and laws which followed, and all the subsequent happi-
perity of the Continent of North America, are the
gT >wth of i ne seminal principal, sown broad-cast upon the land long
before: and that was tiie vital godliness of the mass of that sturdy
race who settled tbe ccuntry and whose Text-book, in all things, was
the Word of God.

And all the evils of 'his Second Revolution — the fanaticism which
tirst kindled the fires of sectional hate, the perversity which violated
solemn national compacts and trampled under feet the guarantees of
»i wine s*nd just Constitution — the madness which drove a numerical

88

178 aaurrxnxL views

•

majority t attempted ppoliati.- rights *f their brethren,

the fmbsaq'.ient disruption of tl I \rith s fierce

c»nd unri \\ .-■'■. and

•ill hurls the vindi
assailants upon gr . the bitter

fru' in the f'.v tin

• Vr o!

ami i • plant for the harvest of

4eath; and :.' I

-heir natural culminatHki in tlr ' teem whieh

wild delirinm, an • with p<

freedom or justice.

Let the peopl* of wv.n' ; let t.

truly repent of former th"in, by their

n-t'mns, bring forth the fxuH | otaac*.

' i them take down the idol shrii •>•—

>et them cut down their pro-, demolish their high places, aim

r'tt them write in every nicl ated to the im ;ca-

•rurcR, " God only is great — man is vile." Let the christian element
if society display it* faith in 1 1 ■ ■ [>el it preaches by relying on

hat for the reformation of the world : by »eW I to the v,

,f human progress by directing nil its energies to the conversion oi
iadividual 6oula, and the pwifieatio i i f the primary -^ringy of ua-
•iocal life by the mean* of YJod's appointment.

OS NATIONAL TRIAL' 179

CllAl*TE *U III.

Sins of the old United Stale*, ■':>".rd.-~-Ajijrossivt character oj
the country towards weaker poiccrs, and it* demoralizing tendency
at home. — Ingratitude of the people for (Lr peculiar bleating a of
Divine Providence. — Failure of the Church io discharge the oh-
iigations imposed by its great opportunities.

Another sin of tbo people of the United States before ttie diss i
lution.of the old Union was there aggressive character towards otho*
communities. Grod had bestowed on them nearly a .whole continent
tor a possession') and they bad wo neighbors sufficiently strong t»
excite any apprehensions. They were separated by oceans from the
it powers of the world, and were less exposed to injury front
without than any nation that evgr existed ; their resources wore
comparatively unlimited, their public burdens were very light ; ^nd
they produced within ■ themselves • nearly everything important to
prosperity, and furnished to the world the staple which wi»
deemed most essential for its clothing, and large quantities of food,
fuel and timber.

The people felt the advantage of their position ; and the country
itself in a proud. pit manner towards otbe;

poiv< .

It was a great, swaggering bully in the streets of the world, ready
to take offence on the slightest grounds, and seeking pietei* _
quarrels with those of inferior strength ; it was a giant Vnich k
its superior power, and was disposed to use it .«^SMjj because' it
eoaid do ii with impunity.

It advanced claims inconsistent with the rights and honor of otb
mi and it was al*ayt. over sensitive sLd ready for a quarrel witl
whose territories lay contiguous, and which it knew, in case
of a fight, could be appropriated.

T° " ailM» * ■»«!«•* in \tmk under the blasphtv

"m"fai,,;""f >J to live, „tend and rule

thus. - that the Provide, G I WM but tho nurse »nd

*bitioo,and that the i»iv,ne counsel* .ould rot do ,.tb-
ita interests. m
In short, thia do* trine of m.nifrat de,t,Dy racttnt rink tbat th,
umb.tKuis ,,urpo,os of the United State* were the biftheri law otf
the unmrae; and thai tke J ,jnMB of 0od kH% .

snous

•v

t< s, was nov ■ ;i.-

if a peoph who could Dot injur.

• ,r I hit violation -of the eternal laws of right.

ing on these vi q( respected its plighted faith

ill t when it Beemed to he ; ; and it wu its fixed

If with it \ and t-

te their enthusiasm by » the 'worst i f fallen

N'.it--
It anted on that maxim that theend ju>tii.

having the power, i( would not .scruple to infringe on
rights of others, and Justify itself heforc Iti own public on the
ulca that their interest required it. and th;it this apparent interest
wa9 the supreme law of Heaven and earth.

The people beoame aooustomed to the idea that when the glory
ind power of the country seemed to demand it, the claims of ab-
_ r. 01 :_ ■• . .. with disloyalty ; and' when gain
was made by foreign aggression, it was patriotic and becoming t«
applaud the measure, however accomplished. Be was a foe to th<
country, and an adherent of its enemies who ever questioned the
propriety of its encroachments; and a government founded on the
principle of the inherent and inalienable right of every oommusit]
to choose its own political system, acted On the idea that the forci-
ble extension of its institutions among others was the greatest bft -
iiig that iould bo bestowed upon them.

These open und persistent perversities of sacred principles by the
whole nation in its organized eapaoity, Boon manift gted their inevi?
table fruits; and the economy which controlled the Government in
its exterior relations exerted a poisonous influence on the ii temal
condition of thing*?.

The nation or community which use., the principles of the K\il
lliea in foreign contests, must expect them to reinuin as inis-
ohir and the principles which controlled the. foreign
policy of the United States became the cod • standard for domes-
tic communities in their conduct to each other.

The action of the (lovernmcnt in seeking to strengthen itself at
home by :i constantly aggr. ■> ivc attitude abroad, did muoh to un-
.-•ttle, i>i the popular mind, the sacredness of public compacts , and
;. - the ft >\< ral Sovereignty pandere<l to the depraved instincts of
the whole populace to that entent that it became a test of patriot-
ism, to sustain every movement which encroached upon exterior
powers, so the states were encouraged to put a loose construction on
their compacts with each other.

OF NATl"vAT TRIALS. ls^

If a politician, aspiring to national eminence, fbuiid the shortest
an I surest road to power in advocating national sggrandizenient at
the expense of other nations, was it not natural that demagogues
aspiring to rule the States, should make tbeir way through local
; r.judicee, and by claiming that their o\^n communities were inter-
ested in aggressions on the righ's of otb< is?

The Federal Govern merit was the mirror and glass of fashion to
the state authorities ; and as it became the settled policy of the For-
mer to sustain itself at home by a bullying attitude to its ecpuals, or
ntn< r national .sovereignties, so the latter were disposed to exalt
themselves in popnltt estimation by a disregard of their obligations
to each other.

Tn the central capilol the national politicians competed with each
r for national preeminence in violent efforts to inflame the pas-
sions of the citizens of the United States against the rights and in-
terests of other powers : and so the capitols of Massachusetts and
Veynont became theatres in which rival demagogues vied for the
applause of their home audiences by incendiary appeals to their
prejudices against Virginia and South Carolina.

The disregard for constitutional guaranties manifested by state
authorities, and their violation of their compacts with each other,
was but a development of the national policy, the home application
of a principle practised in foreign affairs ; and when it was claimed
that ttae will of numerical majorities was the supreme law, above
all written stipulations, what was it but the logical application to
the internal or domestic economy of the Government of tint princi-
ple, held sacred in its foreign policy, that it had a right to do what-
ever its interests demanded, aud it had the power to accomplish ?

If its manifest destiny had placed the whole country above all
systems of ethics and above those inexorable rules of moral right by
which all pother nations had to stand or fall, on the same ground the
decision of the majority of voters of the country was the fiat of fate,
and the standard of all political justl

Therefore, the claim of the free-soilers that they had the right to
do whatever they had the phvsical power to effect, was the legiti-
mate fruit of a tree which the whole nati in 1 d, nouri
and deolared to he sacred : and the declaration that minoritiee
states, in the Federal system, had no rigl othing more nor
less than the home application of the do the Confi deracy
that the United States, because it was the strongest power i-: V;
mm ill.' sole arbiter of its destinh

Thus, the unrighteous ethic- • re a two-'

^J I

rd that oul unju.-t u\. I unholy ami..

which lanctifi

wa.-, *- 1 Liter,

iuSl insti ,t of tl

Dnin-

■

nt :

TruJ ■ "

. .

The i
• of that j artj whicb <

n and
life r inc

w hi They dn.

.
wit 1) w hi lea)

fabric known

-

. uj p ;
.; native i u .- c i . .
teai the parent \ Inch

-i-tcd in rai.-ing ! •

And >red fr

have wai
prbioh be W<

• Dot onlj repudial r en-

i re-
: '. nur own

tf il . who •

ustd d>r our • iteful it i

the conduct opporl i

■ .. :. we wen >ibl«

part ol | irii

..

the man
•.liis one power to uwal . I Wi ntly for

ihat Mom that Europe bad do right to interfere in

r i\ with the international affairi of the new world.

OF NATIONAL i>M.M$. 188

When we. maintained this principle, we were j feder-

fccy which wy^s more than a match for dl its neighl - • n the (
tinent; i w© thought that . the old*

world could be kept i loof, we oould give the law rica, and

extend ourseD it at our leisure, or control it to our purp

Now, the Confederate States, in the infai their existence.

*nd without a nuvy. belong, to-'.;1 ivarily, to the weaker powers, thai
Is weaker in number? and in means of national defence, other tha
the heroic hearts and strong* arms of its people ; nod in this condi-
tion, the v.^l' |iou rf v.'hi'h thi \ ■• a part, would

. by opposing, in its at-
tempt ' jnality, tndse wicked traditions of " the mani-
fest destinj of the Unites h it helped to foster.

Tin . Bee how hearties:

is th< lufope ii: refusing by legitimate ] ive mor-

al a. ' ion struggling for existence rod liberty against a

proud I cruel pbwer which woul ruinate tl

solel; ir destruction would enhance it? greatness; and

yet is n • i what motives it is not for the writer to say

anting stri stly en that Monroe doctring for which we were extreme-
ly jealous :

■The u United St! " f a jtewer, though impaired in strength,
'•till i n the Confederate States ^t is warring with

the traditions of national policy lerates helped to

: part of the Government.
•It 1 -hem then to repent of doctrines from whose results '

they delivered: to deplore the part the"y took in casting

into tl nal heart the intolerance of a rival and the lust for

from which they now so cruel;- If it was i

• -: Uii : States to over-run all i ricaj

uunitics against their will, it is still right : it is not wrong in
i abate as a nuisance an adjoining power mere-
ly because we haTe left it. It was never right i and while i' i^
us Confederates a sacrifice of pride to acknowledge this, we have n<
reas lm Divine intervention till we d<> c<> Our rc^ .

the aid of (rod against our ambitious assailants is an appeal to Ilin
to condemn and defeat doctrines which «

not a mockery of the Divine justice to expect it to oppose princij
when they work against us, and to >■ when thej can }>•■

used for our aggrandizement ? I] art <>f the condm

the United Bt fttes, the derelopn- • ar own d | and If r

M, with this horrid picture bef '

■

ption of an inherent.
. i-ver ul! Minuted in om

!■ aied I States

grc ■: rificea they are maki

delr> under the control of one power |

be disruption of (he old Dnion eh< populatioii ol
Conf '■ tea helped ides if a -ingle

for America.

We must, 1 1 • .it' • '■ dootrin

Americ i, not simply becai it no 1< intoi

Tun- of the sin of hi

of universal control, :ind must see, with humiliation, in tfa
unrighteous conduct of the United States the biti • •

eiple for which we are, in part, r< sponsible.

Th [RDLY. The population of the old United States were the most
ungrateful on earth ; ami from this sin no section was exempt.

The pe iple of the Southern States long had reason toe i
their Northern neighbors; and the discontents grown
aggressive and constitution-despising spirit of A itnare'noi

referred i > \.< re as part of the. evidence ol rge ; '■ m d a-

hove.

It was s characteristic} "i the whole p< p murmurs! eve-

ry tiling; and so far from cherishing a lively sense >l !,.i:- infinite
and peculiar blessings the people were continually ■ impraining of
the way* of Providence.

The seasons, in the e als lyi I i I dry,

too oold or too hot : tl , light • thi

samer compared with 'the public burdens of other nations, and ai-
rs levied for the good of the masses, and returned lo them with a
thousand fold interest, oftei I the most Scandalous c implainta

It i.- not necessary to dwell abject: the public mh>d will

ill recollections wh jrordn cannot Enhance

1: language of America wi f con»plaiat,»of reproach

bitter rnurmurings : every little disappointment or cros< was greatly
magnified, s >pirit of restle at pervs 1-;J tho whole pupula-

tion, an-J there was hardly any disposition to Kse and know and con-
fess with gratitude their peculiar obligations '■>> God. •

lis, beneficent Being, who in infinite Mercy to us, brought us to
these sh"re>, remote from th. i rruptions, trials and warsofthe
world, an'l pi .1 ted and nouijshc 1 OS here, i' now giving us an op-

OF NATIONAL TRIALS. 185

portunity.to survey the past :in<l fully we rcrji i

His gi dne • • : and '■ uits

he result v.-ill be good.

Ti, ssed christian it; i old United State?

did ii
chosen Master.

It ia inal Church docs . here re-

ceive in their obvious spirit the hljunctio ine Ifead ; it

Imitted thftt the great tjody of professed believers has generally
fail cts any* jus^

appreciation of the purposes of God in making v.:v rkerwith

Him in the buildii: ioni on earth.

s purposes arc too plain to he mistaken ; • art of the

Ho1 dicit and emphatic than those pas.-

- of the professed believer.
is not his owi - -ne is ..

>nt into all the worl ~.
preach the Gospel I ure.

If an J .-Jl he has, I ': :

: ; ud however the carnal mind may
ihci>: reai

i as language can be i recognize no exce

persons, of pla

Judged by the unmistakable standard revealed in the "Word of
God, the Church in modern times' would not be recognized but

1 known
'inly by i a label.

But the faults of one p;

frenmstances under which A-
mer: people have

had f their !

con- ' s to the failings of oth<

other v ud by

their eon public of the United States

have in means, portunities of do-

ochsafed to any people.
The political ] r pretended t( interfere with spiritual

affairi: tl Idly Ml yed uncxamph <i :

perity, commanding the respect of the wl
braohag a verj, latg • ' ealtb, learnings

and influence of the cow

rth —

124

.-nil

ts

ftbi

rid.

' urch'e
■ nth tl juncl
riil
re.

led to enjoy . iptioa

the origi itutton is Church

mil self-

Ftbi
I darker
& world-
nciit, became more and eff

ad tl i :muer5

.rtered in easy ban I for lydaj

I b ;

-.1 f-ervice In tlie field.

of a little ban for th-

•errioe but u
acted as if there w r Master and

enemy.

: thai
■jfcr.., v.'t; ily Eor tl and

■rrying their trooj y drill

well-appointed army n ';■' with idle evolution*

whj\ world with desolationt.

U'lONBL TRTAXS

1ST

( HAP TE,"R IV .

Sins -

oftht Goi
offers to the 'bj

Vfhile th ■ ople of the Confederate States are > an-

»*er for oflfenCea of nhich.they arc guilty in common with the other
f what was once" the Uni I ' ^lled

D account for si b belong more peculiarly to th<

lgtl cwiU be mentioned the action of the chryj-
pub tljr'tfnegftlie leading

•auses of the ]
•Undoubtedly, th d against the jui

a in its c b rican element of socictj

tnd not t isthatwhioh i« owed'bf

t!1(;- peculiar friends cf the negro.

j$ut , justify those of masters ; and

in fact, the respou is enhance •oo-

i .acr.

The fanatical agita f placing

fire the most adv; ''ion

I by the Church ; nud to thii j the

'■irected.

Tin . I to the righti

fulni very as ' both its political and,

neral repudiation, afr

1 mere human an, d the suh,

All cl ,. .••. States, have

e Word of God is the iree of Truth on the

iubjt i y in America; and thus,

by uni\ , ia

"cat
whicl h th< m fron tit i

rid.

that the Bibb I

have been adoj ole natioi 1 creed.

<.-..,

■
. j

;

hose

in

Truth, into the

\TQ fuundod :

will stand or fall, Toll us ■ ach in n ;

)o~iti'

;

DUtthey repl;
tohoh testimony of its o and did they exert themselves

if hat tl

Did tl:

..." ruo-i

.arc, ypa must build ::•
right farters on this art you

rwn nets, to be gn

' Ihuroh — ! foiled to

»eo and pursue it '(

Wile:: tl.

. I thej

oug! the authi rit; ■ •••' their

. political fathers, and of the m( hnt

.

, , mity

disputants
had the < re all the actions, teachings, denuncia-

tions and taunts of men in every walk, of communities, of rations

Oi1 NA; i • - I LB.

;md of the world,- and I on tbeuui I Divine

Truth; but i.i itment of ■.' of this class, even

christians yielded to the fori It and of prejudice, and what

d the actions and opinions of vile and atl
abolitionists to determine their line of duty !

rms which the com i iiirch felt were de-

manded, sternly demanded by the immutable rod, were £-d-

journed . effeot them would be~c

3 a triumph to the fre-e-soilcrs ; and thus while we "'•uld
■ !d in defending our interests, we
r<( fanatics in the prosecution 01 our da-
■
The Church confined its holly to one view of the Bible

I to si : and although its own Slates offered

glorious opp ing and ei the

I of God. i ed a foreign faction of bigoted tra-

lucers of itself and j ; of Divine 'Truth, to control if.

lion !

The lot urging reforms demanded by the ver;

authority on which the institution of slavery Ined, was that

and power of the oppssers of Trn
ison which carried absurdity on its.very face. Tiie slavery de-
■ led by the Scrij tores is the slavery condu heir

injunctions; and ilitionists were very generally infidels,

vine
Truth, il 'ence to suppose that the fall

.cut of Bi
■ f the Bible.

Will God ithfulte

I
Will He pen ' plication I i ben His e.neml

The truth is, and i

. the Church wasafraid ' em:

, not of •

'Hi

I .

iti< • ' '■'' '

itieii

-

|heir polil "M

of the
. i

*

|

A!-
lead

. J
yui .

:

-. All the '

.

.' wc
C

civil i mnot

1 obligai
!. it r d is ;•!-
ill 1 VTT&th !

OF NATKTNA1 191

The consider the pica under which ll

unity of the C ate States

formanoc of its obvious duties in regard to plavery, the more ridic-
ulous and shameful it seems; but whatever the nature of this i > -
before the present revolution, it-no longer exists ::t oil.
Tie hard logic of events has removed all i r this ejjallov

pretest ; and ... , ^ ^ ^

[raging t-h< bolitionisl public

rhose importance il ' Imi ted r

the Church h of tl

he uvjrriage relatioi a favor <>f

the whole system of servitude which tho Law
hristianity require 1
The answer n bat the time is incon"

the ( ' " W<

the ri out of

"heir dui u

• W God to ;iid us iu the • I

the ] • ,'s, and defend our

•i : and yet \ 'm the obligu

:',oi< -ights ent . ". itfh that P

. we ask to me '.

Will God I

Will the vrorld believe us in eai
ourselves* on the Diyine Law ?
. And v

.

irtu-
niti f

\ed (f» it by its Divine lie:; .

It ir
for its f-ins in eonnect;

author \. :r. n

brief form, whai in hi-

' h bod .
exert itself, aooording I for I

• bl ic m i
tbe nb)& '

192

l

|
tion tiinos of 1 Code,

world assumed a |

■ itu-

■

. it, the

at, to re-

■

alf.

l»ti it could have

r bat arc tli'
Wh ' rd ti'

'.i every i «ety ''

What !i: done foi

•
by warni - • that tl -lie law

tors in the crime ?
W1 ■ taught, with the weight of a public

at if the management .such:'-

OF NAaSQNAL TiUALS. 198

tofcompel their slaws t>> ■- r their alar

:, the propri tvere responsible 1

All what it ought to be — and

'. more from the want of j
information on the pari id the world, than fron

fee'' of i ards the si All the world knows, or

A.metioa, are inclined to-
beir servants : whj been taken of this. po-

based on
teachings of eternal Truth '.

" The priest's Lips should keap Is towledge, and they should seek
the law at bis mouth : for! the Lord of ho

i. 7 ;) and among all the y our lea i

y, how little 1 id or written on

branch of the subject which real] rns us !

It is not the duty of the slai ( convince the out-

id that they are right — but it is » dut3r, a solemn < :
' :: . there, to end- se to it , that the institution oi'

ted on Bible principles. Yet' what a waste of
e has been on the form t ! — an expenditure of

uncut ending only in the more h out-

side enemies, and in their : deuce, fraud and

age cruelty to change the - eir own

notions.

A nd how little has been said or written on the latter branch of

the matter, and the one only in which it would havebcen profitable

toe: discussion! Tl te did not want to

the trutl . be spirit which animated them plainly showed

that if they were beaten in argument, they intended to resort to

•o ; whir >me were open to conviction, and

w what wi .rated to path of

and, therefore, of interest.

offence here; and if the ;
Church ] >m cntei i net

' the indul-

Suppose our national ■ ball we cower before

hose swoi Fy ?

whj : hould we di idicule 1

\ on it 1 ;•'_■' Hut such

argui en if true, nr- rir.

'

I

;
. .

I

■

■

1 to every erv;ttui n la uiv-

hunger I

Id,

"{

with difl

i,r-

•' ■ " .

tl irdships. AiV

butinth agei multitudes of its teeming pojmla-

the oliristiaaB of America, to the people

^ any m the world,

••»nd '!K

..,-io: and not only so, but

IHry>;„r I bundMice,( I •" llls how;

01? NATIONAL T

Iff

perfect liberty of conscience, is clothed, fed and nursed by the
then whom be is to instruct.

His hearer speaks bis own language, shares in all bis cures and
sympathies, is docile and teachable, and looks up to him as his phi- '
losopher, guide and friend, in every affair of life.. He is in his
house : the instructor sees bis pupii, without sacrifice of time, every
day and night, and every day in' the whole year has opportunity

: ohing to him, effectually, the glorious gospel of the blessed Gud.

d to add to all this, the worldly interest of the missionary is pro-
moted by his faithful religious teachings : his hearer is his slave,

I rendered more dili ifchfu) and thrifty, more peaceable

and obedient by hu ing.

Here, on this .wonderful theatre, Grod would demonstrate, in the
most obvious manner, what is really true ittall cases — and that is,
that the christian portion of the world has a direct temporal intei
performing the work of the Church.
Causes and results are here brought into immediate and visible
contact : and christian masters and negro slaves are in a posith-..
liustrs te how believers are rendered nipre prosperous, secure
happy on earth by ext< le ii iocs of the gospel in the

rid.

in be a means of converting bis owner, he
tter 'treatment — if Ithe christian master is true to the
spiritual interests of his slave, he .will be more faithfully served.

• in the slave . paid, i pora]

bem its services to the heathen : it receives an ins

lividual i
d made more secure in their homes, while their

is much of Af: ;
and of a long, long night of death : here are the means of reaching
ooi). be healing oj ;, the very heart of the

;•;. I d real ; t <H

Oh v the christian

merica! bp ir inducemeu. .

utmost !
A i . d

"■■■■!. has been mpli i I I result

; •.
oighted race have 1
ruth : ive 8tafc

•hi- is due to oircui

..certcd and p rts of the Church.

1 '•;•

him-

lary

...... _ .

•
'. • ■
husband ;.: i

cred of ill 1 t!
.

•otect the

cl

LC.b an author

;
. ' the cl all

, the repression of

the limil >h an authority

thinking |

' :
■

• will

his privil

uo argon

lie

more plainly th ■ i her way-— tl '"

human • gul lie tl tor.

OF NATIONAL TRIALS

We do not conclude that civil Govi
liable to abuse from the dej \ ho admi:

ic : and it is no argument against the iawfalr.t i s of mag
of the claims of .husbands, parents and guardians that tl
throws around their evil te
and laws.

There ever will be men who will be prompted by their passions to

every trust.; and for this reason il
imenl was ordained of God, that i

into acts of injustice and cruelty. On
jects the |
■ r more brul the controlling influence ol

And e the Confederate States have sever*

tion with abolition .-■, there is no li

■ should not represent ' ient of 'the

: trity otv :- • in preventing the i of their a'utb ,

of individual proprietors of alai
This who! ate and not I

general G ttei ash an exercise of

power never could have strengthen./ ' , | [he

South.

But . , from th>. of abolition fanatics are

the whole country being under the undisputed
iers of slaves, it is
once at justice is dune ( sentiment and char-

■': regulati" d effectually

-ruel or brutal master from thoSi
.•.re a rellection on the dignity and jus
Thi bligation which the . Gk>d,

Arbiter and Judge ;
ing i the guardian and d he poor, .the

H r, and if they cry in vain uflticc,He

fill • ' be earthlj a all <

inten re combined by such i

toward I - titu-

tinii . ,,m]

. .n.
::i.V Sin

.

roe«j who have

I their >
withdraw to the line* of the public enemy, Those who hare I

V 1 1 \r

Afri-

.

•esp« ■..

Hon ; hj |,r '! ' CO of the

.

ter condi; i
• i change natural to all I • an the

but : 3 actual i aperience, t! lela-

in such flow-
ing i

trei ation have

'; kindly

■ r<

\ ea of th

markable phenonu i
o generous and discriminating mind .i plate

|
i time was when it was considered dangerous to |

of the disi their

.. ; and the in views

ir knowledge,
i which has sha ■■■■■■. th< I
r >s to the feeblest in in-

its t of the 1 ' '

- 'appled ii a life and death s1 1 1
;

that 1 the resources ■

ige their condition :
i their mastefs sealed up from the woTld I
. and their territorie

. ned freedom I and

.:„ to bia master.

their owners driven fn m their homes in di
. fa — thej Bee the whole country drain* d i I its men and arm's,
aud havin rery nerve rgj to ward off the fierce,

terrible and thick-falling blows aimed at its deBtructio
The whole white population of Hie Continent is tossed with fu-

OF NATION; AL VK! . 19!

'•; --and there is a continual display of scenes ealoul
harden tlie heart and chill, if not blast, all the char
•I lities of nature.
1 ristian clement is sorely tried by the furious tempest,
of selfishness sweeps away evorv restraint which
pinion had thrown round the avarice and ambition of
depraved nature : and everywhere the eye rests on one wid<
of dreary desolation, man preying on his fellow, and seeking to
open arms or by fraud and cunnji
And during all this, long night of horrors the slave population,
heretofore erroneously supposed to be the most dangerous part of
society, has proved to be the most quiet and conservative ; and under
temptations which have rarely assailed infirm nature, the negroes are
ir accustomed posts, diligently laboring for
iunced as their enel
oonl beerful, docile and affectional

Th*.- Sirocco of selfishness which has drb d u] the sender charities
>f nature in all other races of the Continent-, has made little impres-
sion on their hearts ; and though, like their owners, th< I een
put to many inconveniences, their pliant natures havereadi'

to the change of circumstances, and I the

Fortunes ' proprietors with a cons! and unfail-

which are' among the most shining dis] Fear-

ful crisis.

Shall " inga make no impression? shall they be forg I

Will .the ruling . <e f. :-" :;

ly teach ?
Th" -e, exceptions to th des.

expected the infirmiti'
ture, in a .it and half-barbarous pace, to hav •• in

fewer instances to the powerfully ieductive infT^eneo . !,' •

upon them?

by a general rebellion, could A as com-

the horrors of this rjevolutioi
against their masters, they have been
have vastly lidded to the means of defence agi
liberators.
The conduct of the faithful majority hi re than atoned for

who have 1" en seduced, 1 - :r;,\'n t<

tion ; and this fidelity under fiery trials i
treatment hereafter bas<'<l on the su] |
ings or aspirations, but for a corns'' of m

PC ; .

: their ]■■ la tru<

■ ;:.:.' Q

• i ' '
: t tO 1

id with •

•
I

their duties, 1< t tbcm be

his fidelity
Ould :i.— :ii! hii .

.

r when

, and be < i nol pnr ■
Hence until t
on, were re I until the inde] atrj

• i; acquired, be v. to make a virtue of m

irould then he an obedi nt because he bad no other a

pursi

e"of hia i raj

bis

it ?

■ - en -.' ; of every

.

i '.. ion and

ring In I rotation.

: onor \vhi>
. race, in the fac< i I
of greatm
God demi

ren! you arc meeting with stci If
b might appal less aetaetant and
■ ■ Irig on,- own pre

• uohv, and out triumph will I

:.'in and our ■:> !

OT HATIONAL TRIALS. 20;

CHAPTER V .

Sin.8 of derate Stales, continued. — The people enter on a

new national careertand accept the awful Issue <f civil war, forced
upon them, without that humbh and reverent desire to secure the
favor of God becoming in a christian community placed in sucti
ttokmn circumstances, — Nieg speJ agencies at the commence-

ment of the iv ar.

It is respectfully suggei . 11 of; us have offended in 'the

Ipirii ith which chastisements of Heaven

duri : Ihe present war.

As it was remi P part of this wort, G,od often cor-

rect: and individuals for what lie sees in them, as well as

fori pment of thgse dispositions in outward acts; and in

tight the people of the Confederate States must have appeared en-
tirely ' .fldent and secure iu a sense of their own righteousness.
i great deal of intelligence among the people of the Cop-
fedeu-ite States ; and thej were sufficiently taught by history to
know that civil wars are always terrible and afflictive.

When the President of the United States made a, wicked appeal
to the aibitrament of the sword, thus committing a flagrant outrage
on the letter and spirit of the institutions he was called to preserve,
every educated man could hat an awful conflagration had com-

menced ; and while it was incumbent on all to enter on this new
and mo.-* V.merican history with humiliation

and prayer, the wl incut was in a blaze with the jubilant

manifestations of an opposite disposition.

It is not necessary to refer to the wild exultation of hate, malice
and unholy amibition which characterized the aggressors in this
fearful strife — the purpose of this work is to deal only with the sins
of the people of the Confederate Stat

It becomes this nation to meet the bloody issue forced upon it
with unanimity, with energy and fortitude ; but all those, and an
enthusiastic patriotism, always a virtue, arc entirely consistent with
humility towards God. confession of sins, and sincere repentance for
them.

But because we wore right in our controvert/ with our human
adversar}', we seemed to take it for granted that wi- «tond justified
in i1 f TTenven ; and it must be confessed that while the actp

•CRIPTUBAL VTEWS.

and proolam |1 'ific-il authorities were intended

to ren humiliation, the

i [ritual guides often had an opposite

eflf-

itement, chri.
not di^t:
eight

of th*
|> y in theory ; and

his on the supremacy of the great Ar-

■ ■ '• B • holly witl . ii

'lis power to r

'.ng the absolute Di we could not suffer without U\e

j if Ili> did permit as ' icted without

was infinitely holy, nod waa try] is power

5 — for the v "'ti-

g ' S;iy.-' irr< ume on

re,humb] roh

« . al! hon-

i to

- ' : ;•■

is away froi vin"

Undsustoth- >nial

f errora that may prove fatal, and confirms us in i ' inch

j ' ■ ' ' i:3-

» The writer desirea to deal with his country m jeot,

lith great tendem ! rharity ; but hi, sense of duty to their

interest*, and to tbe unty ' ' '1,:it

the whole Chjareb did. not seem to be fully alive, tbetrue

' tharaoter and meaning of our national trials ; it was n« t aniyersl 7

bt tn»t those troublea were permitted by a Holy and Almighty
•<jod and were, in fact, His direct chastiscnientj for the sine of the

3 Perhaps, this is enough on this topic— especially aaamore heatfhy

spirit, aud^uo much more honoring to Clod, is now generally ex-

'"itniust, however, be added, by way of warning, thai oft*u when
fcrsona think they arc honoring the Jeity by giving glory to Him,
the'- are onjy flattening th. I i for, in juch cases, only the vie-

dories wuieli advance their cause are ascribed to Him, while there

OJ- NATiONBL Till - v>

is no recognition of Hia Hand or His Justice in adverse or disc

aging ev* . •

It is extremely gratifying to our self-estc I the

Sove tbe universe takes our part, and works for our 6- In -

crancj ly successes to Him, it is durselves

that we honor I The Mahointucdan, tbe Inquisitor a,»)d

the Hindoo all alike ascribe glory to the Deny i
are gratified ; and a spirit that goes no farther, hov J

use the great name of Jehovah, is i tot ti
En the Bord Jesua Christ. •

The elms olds the t . ppolnted it; — He

it* the Loi Crying to. the city in every calamity, aid al-

as when lifted up, he is ready to say.
"Ti ' uud Thou art "justified .when Thou . and

clear v. U judgest," for I acknowledge my I [ inns, and

toy si?: is ever before me."

.\ ; At the commencement of hostilities, the^e wa ■

i-he part flf some of those to oping, undlfcr Uod| i«

emitted the 1 1 v> ; i o r and fro ■ ritj i • spiritual

rsartli. to regard the work of the Church a } of secondary i^por

r •. in: I ime at lea

Purl. did not result ..."..

parai ■ grace- and < bleisiug

[duals and i but most unscrjpta-

val i(lc'"1 God and man bad

©ban- policy, and a (ona#,

It was forgotten, in tbe whi the bun

over3'wLl .peratioi

ooulltr.v' • in tbe coi | iu

':ar:' ' ntest of nations us being

•

'•,uro!l di<* °o ins it might and ou v0 as-

and yet one natural t*

n which tbe - 8£

pends, wer _ id, while

I tiun and muh in their

lone, Keen I .courage tbe idea that the

kl11^" . bj

uld kill the bodii
fcia iofi %

whole theory
Urea il action §e<

thie fati don.

J04 vifcwi

T-B i result i 1 :e.

The Church was bat which it deemed most es«

was unit. -.], a m, in ita | . and

(li, I all it has to

increase the mill . ' i ountry.

S h pnnient, under t!n • such

; ■ ' miliuiry '

arm have never been v but rijrht here

this uni •"■-

The I'nion asked for v. g granted : the maol J.of the Evil

One in the points dread* vented or defeated; •

This work, dealing with and ior the*life of a nati people

writei oral! others, must speak honestly ; and it

•! be stared that there was a general impression th ults

of the Devil were 1 nly through the United States and

the .sympathizers with that poTi ,

. b views were natural ;■ I re without the spiritual

disceqjjrucnt of true Christianity.

The government of, the ti) I to, had di d unpro-

voked war an the rights, li! rti ' pli

of the Confederate States — and its sub je 1 united and en-

thusiastic, and ready to saorifioe Ives in a phrensied effort to

destroy those who simply desire ! I he left al

It- table in men of the v rid — i a indication

of a generous nature in such,to I ' apparently Satanic

meats' wottld be resisted, 1 ■;. rueily threat-

ened, with united hands and brotherly hearts. Such pi lur-

ally supposed that opposition to thi ; di ited

by the Arch-Fiend, was opposition, out-and-out, ' bar*

acter and aims ; and that none of those who were arrayed against
thc»woik he was seemingly instigating through I agencies

were liable to his deceptions or likel oners: .

But it was the duty of the Church to sec and instantly to correct
tliis great mistake ; and it ought to have known that the Prince of
of darkness makes his most fatal attacks on man not by the carnal
weapons of their human fo£g, but througl jm] bheir

own 1

Cnhappily, these sute' approaches to the very citadel of the na-
tion's Life were left unguarded by those who, under Grodj can alone
contend successfully at thc§c vital points— and the Father of hos,
cceeding in his bold and profound strategy, entered through the
rfefericelesa breaches, and gained one of his grandest apparent tri-
umphs.

&F NATIONAL

YV hile th<
si was little qualified, it left the imports! <I t() j!h

ipecial care, t > the ravages of the enemy j and now, when it is fco»
late, we see that the Devil can most successfully serve our national

hrougn their fleshly arms, or working in their

hearts, ; -.iug.our own i

hands to inflict on on
•from homo.

Heboid to-day the results of * practical diabeleif in tl
1 human depravity with respect to our own people ! Look at
te-spread moral desolations 9I an try, and say if a lean

orthodox. Church was ever 1 phaticadlj and suddenly re-

minded of a neglect of duty !
A.nd see. how society has suffer

part of the spiritual guides of the < mi

1 tempdfary^redaxation of the energies of the Chi
ite sphere.

Would of half a score of great battles have entailed

many di. seriously

•ountfyt

. I y ] . ' "■ rend

the sou hile this is virl . heroic it

d by Rilling nfcrtal -when this is eorruj

ission cl

lordinate andinsatiato •?
swarm of extort ioni „e_

burners, an*! • who are pitying wit!

She car tl ly-politic^ and say if tie life of i

can long survive! See the horde of ' tDe

Devil gatl in the I

can, the necessity of preaching r<
others] '

It is ui! y to try to enum rate tl

»'herc under the power of loked lie festei i

irruption in every neighl the Bio

')ra: •

•here htil . :-i .depr.v. ;y
in our fallen c : ' ur sight

■i . fther.

It is no! !, in the r those indi-

vidual in a and the bent of

'2Q(f :wa

- |ual . le]

_

'oition

r matters;

>r wJ ;

..lwaysand ey-
rld.

The 1 1 by nature

I
D rmit;
iniitted bj i the sail

.ofthoearth — and that but ' ' ould no

•»■
. of ■ fa i- to pr

all : '• ' - ome*

. , and i\i .i.'iecr

with tru

■
it is ali(

lied enie»
labor for 1 he eon*
■

glorio lif ''. :.nd liberty of the gospel of
g>eao. . means blessing our coun<

try ur of doing good to the world. 1 bia is th the Church

— the only. id to meD

I ■ : man oontingenoy, and

■if t!. time wh bera, any cri

38 dematt faithful

jam of the great truths of Scripture, and

• the Lear: lof our own people

tf their d Lr need of regeneration

if*tl 1 1 ol v .'■' :.'i . ' i d :'• ; a re i ol 'Ting

rvil war.

We oould have known this withoul i 1 lessons with

ami merciful God has rap i rPr.si '■'■'■ -[ '••■ •' f- yet

our ways naj be saved, though

y mi the Ad-

versary b • made upon it.

01 NATTONA, $07

Let us confess our sins and turn from them ; and if we love onr
own eountry more than other lands, and prize the welfare of onr
own people above that of other nations^let ns stand in th* gaps here
and girded wiAithc whole armor of God, bo as zealous and cour-
ageous to fight His battles en our own sol ' , ;. ,
af our human :■

Wo cannot now reform our nati nd out

exhortations and rebukes to Kim nccted with political

excitements, would be any thing. else Citable; bu1 we have at

hWie a wide and glorious field, and on6 in which vro i cess-

fully, labor without complicating th: the 'Chu oh, in the

ds <^f thn?o to be benefited} with the passions of ' "id or the

issueB of political ] called to it hy tl na.

rii> its of self-interest, and by the d of

God ; and if we are wise aiud ,di tinea1 ,. ,..

Mount Zion fortthe rescue of a bl< eding land, to be rej i ,' the

breach, and to make the wil " i and solif;).ry place gJ -1 for us

to rejoice in fruiti •' uuty, we will go forward to its

culture without delayi

• "Come, and let us return un1 vd : for ?; ' rn, and

he will heal us; he hath smitten, and lie will bind us lip

, shall we lenow, //"we follow on to know the Lord : his going
forth ; and He shnll eom.e unto us as the

rain, as the latter and former raib unto the earth." Wosea
ri. 1-30

CONCLUSION.

9

The writer of this work entertains an abiding hope that God is
with the people of the Confederate States in the best and highest
sense.

Ho lias- laid upon them the rod of affliction : and when He smites
it is c. n-ays for sin, and with the purpose of correcting or destroying.

It is as certain as the* existence of a righteous and almighty Deity
that the country is suffering for its offences towards Him : it is
equally certain that the Author of these afflictions will make them
effectual for His purposes. If He intends only to correct, He will
not withhold His hand until there is repentance and reformation :
if '. ! i to destroy, all the creature power of the universe can-

not prevent the accomplishment of His will.

The earth is His, and He made it — and His opposelcss will must
be carried out upon it, and in all its deep places.

From the whole tenor of the Divine Word, and from the manner
in which the people of the Confederate States are suffering, it is
evident that the result of their chastisement is to depend ou them-
selves. Though sorely afflicted, they have over and over again been
delivered in a way that clearly indicates the mercy of Heaven ; and
there can be no doubt that if tbey will make the right use of their
troubles, these fiery trials will be made to inure to their lasting ad-
vantage. In this way the Lord is with the country ; but if it, from
pride, will not accept of its judgments as of Divine origin, and will
not, therefore, enquire for and remove the offending came, these
troubles wilAot be stayed.

It is no? riven na for God, but respect for their »n righteousness
that induces individuals and nations to consider their tuffierings as
wholly the work of the Devil or of tht creature agents employed : it
u not becaut ' they rtally think God too good and J. lew

so cruelly, hut beQau$et in /act, they < steem thrm.sclres too g-
just to merit tin <li ?.

This is a most unhealthy disposition, and it is infinitely more dan-
gerous to i people than all the fleets and armie.- of a ho«tilr world.

27

210 SCRli'TCHA!. VttWI

If such is our temper, it must be purged out of us as an absolutely
necessary step to our deliverance — and if ire refoaa to bo healed x>f
this disposition, we never can be saTOd from the judgments it ha-
brought upon ui«.

not necess«ry to enquire why this Confederacy is more afflict-
ed than other nations ■ if the post righteous people were to be dealt
with according to their own merit*-, they would instantly be de-
ed.
The fact, therefore, that mdVe corrupt communities are now suf-
feting led than we are, is no argument against the Drvine origin of
our calamities ; it is indeed one great reason tor demonstrate tic
mercy thai sends our trial*. \

''Whom the Lord loveth he ebasteneth ;" and they who r.

ing with the repentance and submission of children^
will bo greatly benefited by it.

To receive punishment as a child is to rcrr.itr. ft as (he work of

Father, to acknowledge its justice, to Jxnd in our §wn conduct th

causes, and thus to honor the afflict in<j Pan mt and to abate pureefoet,

Grod'fl honor and our humility arc essentially connected ; and if,
ander His rod, we act as dutiful children, we will confess our faults,
approve our stripes, and try to amend our ways.

God is evidently dealing with us as a just and merciful Father i
fie sees in us errors that would lead to our ruin, and He smites us
to turn .us from these sins whose wages will be death.

The whole inspired Word is full of such teaching — and the doc-
trine ii illu.-t rated with force und tenderness in tbo 2nd chapter of
♦ he prnphecy of Hosea.

The nation of the Jews, the nominal and visible Church, u repre-
sented as a beloved and erring wife, seduced from her duty and af-
fection to her faithful husband ; and the Lord, speaking in the char-
acter of the latter, reminds her of her poor and despised condition
before she was honored by hii love, and tells her that he will take
from her the wealth and luxuries, the jewels and fineJbpparel which
He had bestowed upon her, and leave her in the squalid and desti-
tute condition in which He found her.

Yet though she has greivousb injured Him, He will not finally
repudiate her from His care and affections • and in His apparently
Larsh treatment He U adopting means to recover her from her fol-
lies, and to restore her again to her right position of a virluous^oved
and honored wife.

Tho Divine speaker thus concludes His account of the means by
which He will accomplish His just and benevolent ends :

• OF NATION AT, TRIALS.

211

" Therefore, behold, 1 will allure her, and bring hor into the wil
derncss, and speak comfortably unto her.

• And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of
Achor for a door of hope : and she shall sing there, as in the days
tff her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land
«f Egypt." — Hosea, ii, 14, 15.

The force and beauty of this passage have no parallel in uninspired
writings .

The Bible reader will remember that the valley of Achor, means
the valley of trouble : ii- is the name of the place where AchftB an*
kls house-hold were stoned for causing trouble to UtM) foj taking
of the accursed thing.

An expedition of Joshua againar the men of Ai was debited -and
ki answer to the prayers of the leader cf Israel, God informed him
■why this disaster had overtaken his arms and why the Divine Power
was against him even while he was attempting to execute its express
command. (See Joshua chap, viii — aud Part first of this W'

The first step in the reformation of the frail and sinulug wife wa»
to strip her of her ornaments and to reduce her to poverty ; and
while this seemed harsh,- it was a mercy, for it turned from her the
affections of her seducers, humbled her vain pride, and brought t
tier mind the true source of her comforts.

Then her faithful and loving Lord allvrei \et jnto t]ie wilderness:
takes her into a desert place— the ver]> 0f action indicating, with
great pathos and force, the kindness of faz motive and the manner
of this action.

To -take into the wilderness" is a very exnressire figure often
used In Scripture to indicate the apparently severe trials by which

individuals and especially communities, and the Church are to be
reformed.

Thus it was a great mercy to be carried into the wilderness, to be
cut off from human society, from human philosophy, and from hu-
man aid : it was a sure indication of a purpose to prepare the sub-
let of these trials by such an education as their blind and corrupt
natures demanded, for a high and illustrious destiny.

In this state— in the solitary desert, where the voice of seduction,
oaunot bo heard, and where the luxuries and society that corrupt
the soul, cannot be found, the erring wife is not left to desolation
«nd despair. When she u humbled, and thoughtful, filled * ill,
row for her vain and sinful life, her True Lord comes to her and
"speaks comfortably to her:" He tenderly indicate.. His abiding
care, and His unchanged affection, He wins her back to her first lov*

8lS arPTUBAL rawa

wn now
virt iety a new

Life that renews her virtuous ar>«l happy youth, she sing- a< in the
ad joyful her fin! from thence,

through this wilderneB n 1 to h< r vineyards, to her com-

fort- 'fh — and the valley i f Aehor, the low vale of trouble

and trial ia the very door of* new and blessed hope which never
could hare dawned npon her in b< r former com

motive and how full of • iment is this passage of

i Oracle?, to the people <.i'the Confederate States!
. dear friends, in a howling wilderness ; and we came into
these desert wastes as soon as we started from our old country to
OS which we would build up for oursSlves.
- the meroy of the Supreme Ruler which paused our road to
through thest pastes ■ for here we can remember and re-

ar former ingratitude, infidelity and idolatry, here we arc
compelled to feel our dependence on that Divine Power which bore
and 1 us all the days of old, which by a scries of amazing

Pro . idences, brought our' fathers to the wilds of .' ' tlod

and protected them here, and from a poor, despised and iguoble con-
dition, lifted them to the highest places of the earth, clothed them
with rich apparel, fed them with the finest of the wheat, and with
milk and honey and butter of kino, and poured upnn them every
comfort and luxury. Oun prosperity hardened our hei 'got

thd hand that brought us forth from Egypt, from the house of bond-
age ; and our corrupt affections went a whoring after the gods and
the abominations of the nations.

But we were not fcft to perish in our corruptions: wo are al
from our seductive assocLatif.ns, f .1 the society of men, from the
enjoyments and philosophy that made our souls to stray, and in these
desolate wastes God comes to us with awful displays, and pleads
with us face to face.

.re shut up to the guidance and protoction of the Sole Arbi-
ter : we are brought back to the true Source of all national and in-
dividual life and happil

come to us to talk with us and ti I le has brought

us out hero to expose to us our diseased condition, to bring all our
pernicious ways to pur mind.-, to h:irn us anew our dependence on
Him, to wean us from our idohi d our pernicious ways, and

to make with us anew the covenant of life and peace which was sol-
emnly signed wheu we were espoused to tlim and brought poor and
naked to this western world.

XA/tfOX \\, TRIALS

[f we arc teachable — if we will turn t<> the counsels of Him who
would wind 08 to Himself, this wilderness will lead i
yards: this valley of trouble shsll be the door ;

the way to God ! •

" Who is wise, and he .shall understand these things? pru
and he shall know them? For tin- ways of the Lord are right,
(.he just shall walk in them: but the transgress ors shall f*r» 1 1 there-
in.''— Rosea, xiv. 9.

»ih

■ .,.i BSD '..♦:. I

SrwrBSH

.■•'■■■■'••■
iiil

■■•■■: ■.■■■•■;.■

ill